In my previous post about Porsche’s new Boxster Spyder you may have noticed that this was the car that greeted me as I entered the hallway of the Porsche gallery. I didn’t include it as a part of the other story because I was so enamored with this beautiful machine, I wanted to allow it a brief moment in the spotlight – alone.
In the early 60’s, rules governing sports cars were modified and automakers had to follow suit. Of course if you ask me, I don’t need rules to make me modify a car! Haha. The frame of the earlier 718 RKS was widened, the wheelbase lengthened and the rear swing axle suspension was replaced with the more modern wishbone. In doing this Porsche created the RS 60 and 61. The beauty above is the open air version of the 718 RS 60, 61. The 718 W-RS.
One of my favorite things about this particular car is that in 1963, Edgar Barth won the European Hill climb with the W-RS. Not only is this car outstandingly sick looking, it has a serious race winning history as well. Today, Barth’s 240bhp modified 718 W-RS wouldn’t beat anyone racing up Pikes Peak , but DAMN you’d look good going up, down and around it. I’m thinking more like a road trip to Vegas. Maybe with the weather like it is right now, I should be driving down the New Zealand coast where it’s summer. Mmmmm warm weather…..
Where would you like to be driving right now? Let me know.
:: Travis Hodges
Posted by: Travis Hodges | Dec 28, 2009 | Categories: Carspotting | Tags: 718, Auto, Auto Show, Boxster, Boxster Spyder, Edgar Barth, European Hill climb, LA, LA Auto Show, Porsche, Porsche Boxster Spyder, Porshe spyder, Spyder, Travis Hodges, W-RS | 3 Comments »
After being exposed to the curvy sexiness of the
Mercedes SLS AMG Gullwing, the cutting-edge science and incredible power of the
Audi e-Tron, and the crisp, German-engineered precision of the
Porsche Boxster Spyder, I'm sure some of you are thinking "The Mazda 2?!" Well, yeah...that's right. We said it - the Mazda 2.
Sure, the 2 might seem like a let-down compared to supercars like the LFA and the SLS but, let's keep it real, how many of you have the solid-gold wheelbarrow filled with diamonds and rubies that they're asking as a down payment for one of those America's Next Top Model magnets? It's like buying a Picasso. You just can't nail it up on your living room wall (perish the thought!). No. Protocol requires that you buy a freakin' museum to display it. Do you have a museum? I didn't think so.
So, being the Motor Mavens that we are, we figured we'd throw in a "real" car to talk you guys in off the ledge. We believe (in the immortal words of the bard, R. Kelly) that you can fly - but we figured you might just want to drive first.
Read more...Posted by: Avon Bellamy | Dec 09, 2009 | Categories: Carspotting | Tags: 2011, 7D, Avon Bellamy, Canon, Canon 7D, Car Show, DE platform, Ford Fiesta, LA, LA Car Show, Mazda, Mazda 2, Snow, Surf, Travis Hodges | 11 Comments »
After attending several unveilings at the
LA Auto Show, I wanted to grab a prime spot for the world premiere of the
2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder. I hiked across the LA Convention Center to the Porsche hall. The atmosphere, as you can see from the above picture, was going to be very different from the "bull pen" vibe of the other automotive showings. Porsche had a gallery all to themselves. As I approached their hall, I was digging their entrance. Going for the full dramatic effect, the
718/8 W-RS Spyder was on display at end of the hall/main room entrance to show off Porsche's race and design history - as well as highlighting the evolutionary pathway which led to the inspiration behind the design of their newest model Boxster.
Read more...Posted by: Travis Hodges | Dec 07, 2009 | Categories: Carspotting | Tags: 550, 718, 7D, Boxster, Boxster Spyder, Canon, Canon 7D, Dan Hsu, LA, LA Auto Show, Porsche, Porsche Boxster Spyder, Spyder, Travis Hodges | 10 Comments »
At this year's LA Auto Show it seemed the topic du jour was green car technologies. However, when you think of an eco-friendly or zero emissions vehicle, I'm sure the last thing you see in your mind's eye is the
Audi e-Tron (pictured above). It's hard to believe this sick “super-car” contains a purely electric drive system. The e-Tron has four engines (yes, four) that produce
313hp (230kw) and
3,319.03 lb-ft (4,500 Nm) of Torque. WTF! It can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (0 - 100 km) in 4.8 seconds. Now that's what I'm talking about! The e-Tron's lithium-ion battery is a beast as well. Its range according to Audi is about 154 miles (248km). Funny thing is, according to Top Gear, Audi's R8 was the most fuel efficient super-car. I’m thinking Audi is about to outdo itself in this area. Nice...
Read more...Posted by: Travis Hodges | Dec 04, 2009 | Categories: Carspotting | Tags: Audi, Auto Show, e-tron, electric, LA, R8, Travis Hodges | 12 Comments »
