Automobiles « A Continuous Lean.

Classic Ride | 1976 Ford Bronco Ranger

Aug 18th, 2009 | Categories: Americana, Automobiles, Cars

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That is a fine looking piece of machinery, a 1976 two-tone Ford Bronco Ranger in very nice condition. The best part is this slice of pure American pride is for sale. I spotted her over the weekend and it was love at first sight — I mean look at those wipers! From the looks of it this model seems to be the precursor to another favorite of mine, the Ford Bronco II. If I remember correctly this is pretty much the same car that the football coach drives in Dazed and Confused. So if you want to be like a 1970’s Texas football coach then scoop this baby up. If an ACL reader does buy it, I’ll take you out for a steak dinner and give you some Lone Star beers from my private reserve, because you are one bad ass individual and you deserve a pat on the back.





Ultra Americana | Ford & Mercury Woodies

Aug 9th, 2009 | Categories: Americana, Automobiles

Some people just know how to collect things, Nick Alexander is one of those people. Not content with owning just one classic car, Mr. Alexander (you may recognize the name if you live in Southern California from the Alexander BMW / Mini stores) set out to amass a collection of wood trimmed Ford and Mercury “woodies” that represented every aspect of the style, restoring many with painstakingly detail. After assembling one of (if not) the finest collection of woodies in the world, Mr. Alexander has decided to pass along the beautiful automobiles (for what I’m sure will be a healthy sum of money) this coming August 12th & 13th at the Sports & Classics of Monterey auction which coincides with the renowned Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

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1940 Ford Standard Station Wagon Marmon-Herrington front exterior





Obsession | Dodge A100 Van Truck

Apr 7th, 2009 | Categories: Americana, Automobiles, Cars

First the Bronco II, then the IH Scout and now…the Dodge A100 van-truck! I’m getting more obscure by the minute, but check out the flat face on this Mopar mother. How could you not love a machine that looks like that, big-old spit screen windshield and everything. Its a van with 30% of its sheet metal whittled off — like someone just took a sawzall and chopped it up into a truck. American engineering at its finest. I suppose it does makes sense when you consider the fact that the A-100 was offered as a straight-up van as well. I much prefer the truck version though — especially in that robin’s egg two-tone.

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Range Rover Sport vs. Challenger II Tank

Jul 20th, 2008 | Categories: Automobiles, TV, Video

The fine gentlemen at Top Gear continue to impress with their inventive programming. Presenter Jeremy Clarkson recently profiled the new and breathtakingly awesome Range Rover Sport (supercharged) for the much revered BBC series. After going over the performance (naught to sixty in 7 seconds, not bad for a SUV), Clarkson took the Range Rover to the proving grounds to do battle with a British Challenger II tank. The result is automotive television at its finest.





Flickr Find | Airstream

Jun 4th, 2008 | Categories: Americana, Automobiles, Design

Flickr Find is a weekly column of interesting things found on the amazing and inspiring photo sharing website Flickr.

I have had an interest in the Airstream caravans for a long time. They are one of the most iconic American designed products of all time and they are made in good old Jackson Center, Ohio. The company has recently become so popular with the upwardly-mobile and design conscience that Airstream saw it fit to collaborate with Design Within Reach. Although, I don’t know that I would need to go so far as to buy the crazy (crazy awesome), DWR version but the simple International Ocean Breeze being towed by a GMC Sierra Denali would do the trick. Ha!

Keep in mind, I live in New York City and gas is $4+ a gallon, so this isn’t happening anytime soon. The good news is, the Airstream design will be just as iconic by the time I get around to buying one of them.





Weekend Video | Bugatti Veyron

Apr 5th, 2008 | Categories: Automobiles, Video

Top Gear’s James May does 253 MPH in a Bugatti Veyron.