It’s a fake. A replica, an impostor and I don’t care, it’s fucking cool. So is Nick.

Mr. Maggio aka Mr. A Time to Get stopped by my office in Beverly Hills (it’s actually my business partner Ali’s office) while I was working out that way last week. Eventually the conversation turned to cars and Nick told me about his Speedster. Growing up in Ohio there was a guy down the street from me that had a white Porsche 356 replica built on a Volkswagen chassis that I always loved. Nick’s car was custom built on an original 1956 VW frame by the guys at Automotive Legends in California, who also make reproduction versions of the Porsche 550 Spyder and a 550 Coupe. Speaking of the 550 Mr. Maggio says, “[I] test drove the 550 Spyder and it was crazy FAST.”

41 Comments

Some very gratuitous videos of Land Rover Defenders in action. The company has been advertising the fact that 75% of its vehicles ever sold are still on the road. Now that is something I can get behind, the concept of design with no obsolescence. (I think I might have just coined a new ACL strapline.) If you think about it, the concept also applies to clothing made on Savile Row. The suits are passed down to sons and coveted by vintage buyers. I can see the adverts now, 78% of our suits are still in closets today.

Anyway enjoy the Defender out in the wild, in all of her glory.

[vodpod id=Groupvideo.2460013&w=500&h=383&fv=%26rel%3D0%26border%3D0%26]

14 Comments

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.

19 Comments

As mentioned in the Men.Style.com SXSW photo diary, the Austin Speed Shop was an amazing place to visit on my trip to the Texas capitol. Mr. Cory Moore — who is part owner — was kind enough to give me a tour and let me take a bunch of photographs. The Speed Shop is a partnership between a group of hot rod fabricators and craftsmen, with Mr. Jesse James being the most well known. The shop specializes in hot rods and all sorts of other pre-1963 rides. While I was checking things out there were some great looking cars being worked on. Plus, behind the garage there is a cool graveyard of rusting old rides awaiting a rebirth. If you are visiting Austin anytime in the near future make sure to stop by the Speed Shop and take a look around.

18 Comments

My obsession with boxy SUVs first touched on the Bronco II and now shifts to International Harvester’s Scout. Often considered one of the first sport utility vehicles, the Scout is an American classic with a cult following. A few months back there was an excellent article in the Oregonian about 90 year-old Scout dealer Ernie Bisio. Take a few minutes and read the article on Ernie and watch the video below. They don’t make ‘em like the Scout anymore, but they really don’t make ‘em like Ernie.

42 Comments

Seeing how The Big Three have been in Washington — hat in hand begging for a bailout — what could be a better time to highlight the golden era of American automobile manufacturing, the 1980s. I imagine my affection for the Ford Bronco II is not something I share with many of you readers. I see the truck as a quintessential piece of my Midwestern upbringing, a purely nostalgic exercise. A fetish of sorts. Eventually when I have a massive garage and a collection of cars, the Bronco II will be right there next to my Land Rover Defender, BMW 2002, a 1968 Oldsmobile 442 and my 1995 Chevrolet Impala. Its an odd bunch that is for sure.

The Bronco II was a smaller version of the Bronco based on the Ranger truck line. The small SUVs were produced from 1984 to 1990. More photos after the jump.

26 Comments