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Entries from November 30th, 2010

Under the hood: Kevin Mackay

November 30th, 2010 by Stu

Pictured: Corvette maniac, historian, restoration expert, and master judge Kevin Mackay and his most prized possession, a ’66 Corvette 427/430 that was one of Roger Penske’s very first race cars.

Some guys long for the gentlemanly British charm behind an old Jaguar or Aston Martin. Others may prefer the pureness of an early Porsche or rarity behind associated with vintage V-12 Ferraris. Kevin Mackay likes old Corvettes. So much so that the Long Island, NY native has centered his life around them personally and professionally, spending years and years becoming one of the leading experts on the topic of vintage Corvette repair, restoration, racing history and vehicle authenticity. What does that mean to you? Kevin is the guy that schools you on whether or not that $100k Corvette you are considering investing in is actually worth $100k. The guy can spot a fake faster than a currency inspector at the Treasury Department.

Pop into Kevin’s Valley Stream, Long Island repair shop, appropriately called “Corvette Repair“, and you will likely find three or four dudes standing around an old Vette talking shop on any number of topics ranging from 50-year old race results to the latest big-block selling trends at auction. When I got there last Saturday, Kevin and a fellow Bloomington Gold judge were studying a rust-corroded frame that had recently come out of a customer’s C2, Corvette speak for second generation. Kevin voiced over the weak areas, pointing at bad welds and rust-corroded frame sections that had compromised the car’s structural integrity. No matter the year, model or state of repair, Kevin know it inside and out.

Long story short, Kevin is one of those guys who keeps the collector Corvette hobby alive, literally. Remember that priceless #3 Briggs Cunningham car we snapped for you a couple of months back at the Corvettes at Carlisle show? Guess who restored it? Check out what Kevin has to say on life, love and Corvettes after the jump.

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Ducati Paul Smart 1000LE – NW Davis & 13th, Portland, OR

November 29th, 2010 by Emir

I spotted this special edition Paul Smart Ducati chilling in front of world-renowned ad agency Wieden+Kennedy, here in Portland, one rainy afternoon. I can picture it now…the super cool, hot shot creative director rolling up to the curb with this retrograde racer, simultaneously impressing all the young ladies and pissing off all the young men. Hey, if Dr. House can do it, with a bum leg no less, then so can this guy.

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Reflections of America Collection: Volume 4 – Route 66

November 25th, 2010 by Stu

“Route 66 ” - Acrylic on Canvas - 31” X 21”

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Before you start chowing down on Turkey, have a look at the latest tribute to red, white and blue from our friend and utterly talented photorealist Bob Petillo. He calls this one RT 66, appropriate considering how many of you will be shlepping to and from dinner later tonight. Here is what Bob has to say on this beautiful piece…

“America the beautiful and Route 66 – perfect together! Live the dream! How many proud owners of magnificent classic cars fantasize about driving their vehicles across this beautiful country?

This one-pump station in Arizona is an oasis along a stretch of Rte 66 pavement hot enough to cook more than a few western omelets.  A few newer cars were on the brink of overheating (including mine) but this ‘55 Chevy stayed cool and true.  The owner got out and put his hand out to feel the heat radiating from the rear tire.  I took a few pictures as he filled his tank and paid.  He sent a wise crack my ways as I stared at my open hood.  “They sure don’t make ‘em like they used to, eh?”, and he drove off heading west.  It was pretty funny.”

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Music on the Move Playlist Challenge #2 – And the winner is…

November 23rd, 2010 by Stu

Last week we brought you a fantastic in-car playlist to flip the switch on when you’re in the best of moods. It was full of energy and passion and good vibes for all. If you recall, the second Music on the Move playlist challenge asked for your top 5 songs for a sunday cruise. Appropriately, we called the challenge “Straight Cruisin”. We had a number of really good entries and, like last week, it was an incredibly tough decision. So tough in fact that we are moving to a winner and runner up scenario.

Take a bow Christopher Michaels, your whimsical playlist (pictured below) had us daydreaming about places far beyond the cubicle. Your reward…a brand new Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Mini docking station. Well done sir!

Honorable mention to James Lartin. You get an official Man on the Move t-shirt for your worthy entry. I know it’s not as cool as the stereo, but we still have 3 more to give away so please do enter our next challenge. It will be announced tomorrow.

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BMW Art Car: Esther Mahlangu – MAD Museum, NYC

November 19th, 2010 by Ian

A little over a year ago, we showed you a taste of BMW’s Traveling Art Exhibit from our very own Grand Central Station. This particular BMW didn’t make it to that exhibit though, so head over to the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) to check it out in its full glory. The colorfully decorated luxury sedan, a 1991 BMW 525i, was painted by South African artist Esther Mahlangu as part of the Global Africa Project that aims to explore the impact of African visual culture on contemporary art, craft and design around the world. Mahlangu is the leading representative for this traditional Ndebele tribe’s art form.  ”My art has evolved from the tribal tradition of decorating our homes,” says Mahlangu.

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Dodge Lancer – Fort Greene, Brooklyn NY

November 18th, 2010 by Ian

Spotted here in all it’s glory, a 1962 Dodge Lancer 770 2-door.  It’s not everyday that you come across one of these so-called “compact cars” circa 1962 (a little more exicitng than a Civic or Corolla wouldn’t you say?) Dimensions aside, this was a very unique car thanks to stand out design cues like a full-width grille, round taillights, snubbed trunk, and chrome Lancer script that happens to be the perfect little detail.  And don’t let the sedan qualities of this ride fool you, the Hyper-Pak equipped Lancer is known to conquer many a drag strip.

You can thank our good buddy and Brooklyn-based man on the street Dave Pinter for the glorious snaps.

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Vintage Sightings – Driggs Street, Brooklyn NY

November 16th, 2010 by Stu

Spotted this pair of Detroit classics, a Dodge Dart 270 and Plymouth Barracuda, laying low on Driggs Street in Brooklyn. The Dart was in great condition, showing good chrome and paint work (perhaps the subject of a restoration in the last 5-10 years). The Barracuda, on the other hand, looked pretty tired with heavily faded paint, chrome and rubber moldings. There was even an “M” missing from the Plymouth logo. But the old Mustang-fighter is appealing in a survivor kind of way. Just knowing that it is used daily and still running well accounts for much of its curbside appeal. Check out the abundance of glass used in making the Barracuda’s handsome fastback body style  - it was the largest ever installed on a standard production car up at the time.

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Mercedes-Benz 180 – SW 2nd Ave & Gibbs St, Portland, OR

November 15th, 2010 by Emir

Known as the “Ponton” cars, these handsome 180s were produced way back, between ’53 and ’62. In much the same way that BMW’s little 2002 paved the way for the 3-Series we know and love today, these 180s represented the first ‘small’ Mercedes, widely known as a C-Class today. Though not as dramatic as the Fintail models that eventually replaced them, the 180/190′s form is handsome for its simplicity and stately elegance. It changed very little during its nearly 10-year production run.

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Music on the Move Playlist Challenge #1 – And the winner is…

November 12th, 2010 by Stu

It has been one whole week since we introduced our first playlist challenge for Music on the Move. You know, the super cool Man on the Move promotion where you can win a fabulous Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Mini simply for telling us about memorable musical experiences you have had behind the wheel. If you recall, this week’s challenge was to submit your all time top 5 playlist for when you’re in the best of moods. From the Netherlands to South Carolina, we got a bunch of fantastic entries and more than a few colorful stories that had us laughing out loud. It was a really tough call, and we thank everyone for their entries, but there was one playlist that stood out above the rest. And we are proud to say that entry came from a fellow New Yorker. So, take a bow John Kovalsky…you’re the winner! Your playlist was thoughtful, genuine and packed full of amazing musical tales about some great cars you have owned and the many amazing life experiences you have while driving them.

Follow in John’s awesome foot steps and enter to win the next Music on the Move playlist challenge…Straight Cruisin…Top 5 songs (artist/song/description) for a leisurely Sunday stroll down the boulevard, up the coast or through those windy mountain passes. Wherever you go driving to clear your mind and relax.

Check out John’s full playlist after the jump…

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2010 Veterans Day Parade – Fifth Ave., NYC

November 12th, 2010 by Ian

We caught this classic car brigade muscling its way up Fifth Avenue yesterday for the big Veterans Day Parade that has been rolling through our fair city since 1922. The striking fleet of vintage Detroit iron was piloted by a group of car-loving vets who proudly cruised down the Avenue as people cheered them on excitedly. Needless to say, people got a little pumped up and, as a result, there was plenty of tire chirping, engine revving, honking, and flag waving going on. It was really quite a sight.

Thanks for your service fellas!

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