Alfa Romeo B.A.T

2 of my favorite things: Concept Cars, Vintage Cars

The Alfa Romeo B.A.T., designed by Guiseppe "Nuccio" Bertone, exemplifies the fact that design is never complete and has resulted in some of the most coveted collectors cars in the world.

The project began with the BAT 5 in 1953. In 1954, the BAT 7 was introduced. And in 1955, the Bat 9 was created. this series of vehicles was designed to test the effects of air drag. All three cars were built on the 1900 Alfa Romeo chassis, featured large rear bumpers and curved fins, and were featured at the Turin Auto shows in the respective years they were introduced. The vehicles achieved a drag coefficient of 0.19 (according to wikipedia) and were propelled by a 4-cylinder, 90 hp engine capable of reaching 125 mph top speed. These 3 vehicles are currently displayed at the Blackhawk Museum in Danville, CA. But to my surprise, I found the BAT 11 in Detroit this year!

The BAT 11 debuted last year in the Geneva Auto Show. This concept was built on the 8C Alfa Romeo Competizione (picture above provided by Jalopnik), which is obvious by the exterior detailing...but under the shell is a Maserati GT chassis and Maserati V8 propulsion. This vehicle certainly makes an impression at a length of 16 feet, width of over 6 feet, and height under 4.

The best part: this concept is actually being considered for very limited production! I'll take one, please!

Fast Lane Classic Cars

St. Charles, Missouri is home of Fast Lane Classic Cars Inc. This extraordinary garage house over 180 of the most beautiful classic vehicles still around. They only buy cars that are in pristine condition, many with all original parts. Cars range from a 1931 Studebaker at $38,995, to a 2008 Porshe Boxster Convertible at $35,995 (one of the least expensive vehicles on the lot). The highest price tags seem to be the 2005 Ferrari F430 Coupe at $149,995 the 2005 Ford GT at $159,995, the 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Twister Special at $199,995. Some of my favorites included the red 1954 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster at $74,995, and the yellow 1954 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster at $53,995 (with many upgrades and few original parts....but who could pass on this color). More favorites included the 1948 Indian Chief Vintage Motorcycle at $29,995, the 1953 Oldsmobile Super 88 Convertible at $57,995, the 1956 Ford Parklane Station Wagon w/Matching Teardrop Camper Trailer at $42,995, the 2 1970 Plymouth Cuda Hemis at blue $63,995 and red $79,995.

Details for the vehicles mentioned above are linked.

I've uploaded pictures on my Flikr photoset. This is linked in the right column.

But certainly check out the website for more information and a full inventory:

www.fastlanecars.com

Antique Automobile Club of National Vintage Tour: Photos!

Making My Way through Californ-I-A!

Sometimes the journey is all the fun.

On the 15th, I spent 15 hours of travel time getting from Detroit to Monterey. I landed in Monterey and was greeted by my dad and his 9-ton home on wheels. That night we stayed at a Super8 motel in Salinas because we booked too late (only 3 months in advance) and cost in that area for the weekend were so High! But we were in good company. The parking lost was full of Porsches, a Maseratis and many other racing vehicles. We were in the midst of a weekend full of not only the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, but also the Monterey Historic Automobile Race and the county fair (this is a different county than you might be used to!). Sunday we enjoyed the Concours and then began a 4-day drive south down the costal highway to Torrance. We couldn't make it 5 miles at a time without being passed by a Corvette, Porsche, Lamborghini, Ferrari...

Along the way, dad and I camped at Big Sur, Pismo Beach and Lake Casitas. It was a little cool for us along the coast, so we went inland and up until we reached the mid-90's at 5000 foot altitude. Here, the weather was perfect.

Edelbrock Performance

There are definite perks to having the same interests as my dad. Last Wednesday, we visited with Vic Edelbrock Jr., a long time friend of my dad's from the automotive industry. Magneti Marelli (my dad's company) provides parts, primarily carburetors, for Edelbrock Performance Products. Vic was kind enough to give us a tour of his facilities and many of his toys. Dad even got to drive us to lunch in one of Vic's toys: a vintage Chevelle with a 670 horsepower Edelbrock engine. He floored it, and needless to say, left a good bit of rubber on the LA streets.