This glorious 1954 Series 62 Coupe was parked all by its lonesome in a Chelsea area garage. Like many of the American land yachts from the day, it’s positively massive. Overall vehicle length is damn near 19 feet (that’s more than an Escalade) and curb weight is more than 4,300 pounds. Keep in mind this is a 2 door coupe! The price tag was equally grand for 1954 at around $3,800. I guess that tells you something about Cadillac’s former brand equity in this country. Feel free to weigh in below with your thoughts, rants and sentiments about a bygone era when cars had class, style, and distinction.

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I know what you’re thinking – why is a General Motors PR guy cruising around downtown Manhattan in a Lincoln? They can lock you up for that sort of thing in Detroit. Pierre Kanter is no traitor though. In fact, the French-born car guy and 15 year GM marketer called up VP of Global Design Ed Welburn for his blessing before making the purchase two years ago. “It was between the ’61 Lincoln and a ‘59 Caddy Coupe de Ville. Welburn loved the Caddy but told me I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to own a Continental.”

Kanter says the black on tan survivor is all original except for the paint. Mesmerized street goers young and old gave the thumbs up as we glided by in the 20 foot land yacht that gets an astonishing 8 MPG whether you are doing 50 or 5 MPH. Hell, the interior is big enough to take the whole neighborhood for a ride. Seriously, it’s cavernous and comfortably seats six people. “Are you looking at me or the car” said the cool European as one pretty admirer walked by. “It’s a mythical car that brings out people’s love for American vehicles” he continued.  And unlike most classics, this one lives on the streets of Chelsea and gets driven with the top down all four seasons.

“I have three loves – cars, wine and women”, said Kanter, who started his auto industry career delivering press vehicles to some of the most notable automotive journalists in the business.

Be sure to give Pierre the thumbs up if you see his Lincoln cruising by.

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We spotted this ultra-rare Moto Guzzi 1000S on West 23rd in Chelsea. The striking green and black livery, which extends from the sheet metal all the way through to the V7 frame and swing arm, represented one of two color combos available (orange and black was the other) during the brief production run (‘89-’93) of just 1,360 units. Although this green hornet is aged the better part of 20 years, the design was considered retro at the time, paying homage to the ‘74 750S and ‘75 740S3 models. Classic styling cues on this super clean example can be seen in the gas tank, side covers, seat, grab rails, taillight & bracket, fenders, headlight bucket and spoke wheels. Extensive use of chrome and polished parts brings out the disco era that much more.

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The Defender 90 is already a pretty capable little ute. But equipped with Hella lights up top, added fogs in the grille, supersized hazard lights on the fenders and a Warn winch up front, this green hard top spotted on West 20th looks ready to take on just about anything Manhattan can muster. So watch out flash floods. Pot holes, eat your heart out. And cabbies…you better steer clear.  This all terrain warrior is ready for action, or a natural disaster, whichever comes first.

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Lamborghini’s best-selling Gallardo has been a bit of headline whore lately and not all of them good. Recent news surrounding the “entry level” exotic from Sant’Agata Bolognese range from a lemon law refund check, to a special RWD commemorative edition, to a new Gallardo-only racing series, and even a hybrid electric variant coming in 2015. Seeing this stunning white Spyder on 26th street reminds us what all the fuss is about.Our only criticism lies in the rear, where this Gallardo is lacking the optional Transparent Engine Bonnet. If you are already spending $198,000 for the base car, why not shell out another $4,235 so that the hand-built V10 residing below can serve as everlasting automotive eye candy?

Happy Friday

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The Lincoln used in the opening credits of Entourage is cooler than Vinnie, Eric, Turtle and Drama combined. We’re talking about the iconic 4 door convertible that originated suicide doors here folks. Short of loading a prefabricated home onto the back of a tractor trailer, driving one of these Continentals is the closest a person will ever come to taking the living room for a ride . The slab sided good looks and grand dimensions, inside and out, speak to a golden era for American luxury brands. A time when pulling up the curb in a Lincoln or Cadillac meant you had arrived.

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