Roadster

2018 Morgan 3

2018 Morgan 3.7 Roadster – Gallery at Amelia Island Concours 2019

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Who knew that gloss black would look as good on some old-school wire wheels as it does on modern five-spoke alloys! This Morgan Roadster at Amelia Concours was a sight to behold – even sitting among its more powerful or more three-wheeled siblings in the Morgan range. Calling this the Morgan Roadster might seem slightly silly: aren’t they all roadsters, you might ask? That is besides the point. This is the V6 Roadster whose 5-second sprint to 60-mph and 140-mph top speed are perhaps the ideal performance levels for most shoppers.  Fast and fun with a 3.7-liter motor making 280HP, …

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BMW i8 Roadster 15

Why Getting That New Car May Actually Be Worth It

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With countless blogs and websites stressing the importance of saving and minimizing on purchases, some may feel reluctant about splurging on a new vehicle. After all, any new vehicle is a significant investment that, for many, requires financing and adds to existing bills. Because of this, some people may have the mindset that as long as their vehicle gets from point A to B, there is no reason to search for something new. However, before the prospects of buying a new car are written off entirely, consider the reasons why it may be worth getting the car you want after …

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4.6s 2018 BMW i8 Roadster Is No-Brainer Ragtop

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The i8 is amazing to drive!  In Sport+ this machine opens up its full 374HP and rockets forward with glee.  Triple turbo thrumming behind you and popping out racy noises from the exhausts. But the i8 has a problem.  It is so light because of all that carbon fiber.  Which is expensive. And intrudes on the doorsill in a major way.  This makes i8’s beautiful swan wing doors make sense.  They are very-much needed to help get in and out.  With a low roof on the coupe, this has been a barrier to the car’s wider success. This Roadster hopes …

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2018 DALLARA Stradale Roadster – Make the World Your Racetrack! [99 Photos]

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  This beautiful new supercar starts life with no doors and no windshield or upright cowl whatsoever.  Just a sleek, wide disk shooting around a circuit! A windshield option makes this a Dallara Stradale Roadster, and a bubble glass hardtop makes it into a Dallara Stradale Targa. Loving them all is easy.  A few reasons: — This is a right-now production car.  First delivery happened last week and production is in full swing. — Dallara is a name known on racetracks worldwide.  They make the carbon chassis tubs for everyone.  Seriously. So they have carbon-fiber at scale.  And wind tunnels …

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2018 Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster – Japan 50th Anniversary Specials

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The idea of Lambos in congested Japanese city centers seems awful!  But then recall that this mountainous country has some of the most demanding roads in the world.  All flawlessly smooth tarmac, of course, but with wicked elevation changes, wild cambers and snakey ess curves. To celebrate 50 years of Lamborghini in Japan, the marque will sell five customized Japan 50th Anniversary specials.  Each is to have its own livery — with a Captain Planet theme of fire, wind, water.. and other forces at the core of the themes. This blue to black transition-painted model is the Water theme.  Its …

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2018 Nissan 370Z Roadster Touring Sport 7 A/T – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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Although summer is a memory in the rearview mirror for most of us, there’s still plenty of time to enjoy a roadster – in fact, cooler weather and leaves changing color make fall one of the joys of owning a drop top. And if you’re looking for joy in a roadster, look here. The 370Z is getting to be a senior citizen in the sports car world. The coupe appearing in 2009, the roadster in 2010. Mind you, there have been updates, including a facelift – but the basic vehicle is pretty much the same, even as its approaching it’s …

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Concept Flashback – 1990 Renault Laguna Roadster

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Concept cars serve a variety of purposes in the auto business.  They can be helpful as a grand pronouncement of new ideas — even if those are years away from the showrooms of real life.  They can also be a grand distraction.  Or a grand way to bring halo hotness to a dull lineup. And most of all, they are perfect as blank canvasses for designers to express themselves.  Take a simple idea, like a two-seat cabrio, and take it to its wildest brainstorm conclusion.  In the case of the ultra-curvy Laguna concept, this meant a mid-engine turbo four driving …

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Meet the Original 1964 Ford GT40 Concept and 1965 GT40 Roadster Prototype 11

Concept Flashback – 1965 GT40 Roadster Prototype

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The GT40 was actually a pretty derivative design – with a chassis and overall structure partially borrowed from Lola. But the GT40 as it came from Lola was not a winner right away. While the Mark I GT40 is a bit more pure, and a lot more beautiful by many eyes — it was not a race-winner. The GT40 started winning races with the Mark II GT40 with its huge air scoops, front sill spats, and other aero mutations to the overall design. But still – it is hard to argue with the clean beauty of these initial concept prototypes. …

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2017 Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta – Pebble Beach Debut

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It has a name!  We knew this car was special on sight.  Next to the Huayra BC and Huayra Roadster… the Barchetta only somewhat fits in. This is a more brutal, hard-edged design in the front and rear.  Zonda lights also look like nothing else. Yet what is this?  Chopped windshield glass?  Snorkel intake and BC-like tall wing?!  Did we render something like this last summer?  [Yes=] And the coup de grace?  Shrouded rear wheels and extreme underbody aero and rear splitter.  Stunning. Here is Huayra Roadster in front of Barchetta, plus Zonda Cinque which is similar apart from the …

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2017 BMW Z4 Concept By James Crabtree 42

2017 BMW Z4 Concept In 44-Photo Exclusive

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The recent design analysis we wrote up over here about the Z4 yesterday is growing.  Today handling some photo edits for JC I found a bevy of new details in the Z4. Things like the lower slash in front fender are as retro as it gets.  THe rest is sheer modern roadster.  It seems so much wider and shorter than the current Z4 in some photos.  But really this is just a product of all-new overhangs and level of rounded corner on both ends.  It is a softer shape.  But marked by a precious few design lines.  These bring the …

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2017 Polaris Slingshot SL – First Drive Review – By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman  

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Taking a ride out to Nielsen Enterprises, in Lake Villa, IL is always a treat. They’re the ultimate big boy toy store.  You can buy anything from ATV’s, UTV’s personal watercraft, snowmobiles, all four Japanese motorcycle brands, Can-AM Spyders, and Polaris products. If it’s fun, and it goes fast, Nielsen’s got it. Today’s mission is to take a Polaris Slingshot out for a test and find out why they can’t make them fast enough. The Slingshot is a three-wheel vehicle, with two wheels in front, and a single wheel in back.  It is 150” long, which is 4” shorter than …

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RM Arizona 2017 Highlight – 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722S Roadster

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Is the SLR over the hump for hypercars?  You know, the one where it is too new to be a classic, but too dated to be sexy next to the latest Chiron Bugatti. Perhaps not the SLR Coupe.  But this SLR 722S Roadster is looking stunning again in 2017.  The fact that this is the ragtop helps.  And that this McMerc is not just a 722, but the 722S!  This was the last of the run and featured unique, upsized dark alloys and special satin Crystal Antimony Grey paintwork.  The carbon splitter in front sets the serious tone this 3.6-second supercar …

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1957 BMW 507 Roadster Series I - RM Sotheby's Villa Erba 2017 1

1957 BMW 507 Roadster Series I – RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba 2017

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Sea green over red leather is a color combo perfect for the most stylish 1950s bon-vivants of the world.  This original 507 Series I is offered unrestored and with original patina throughout.  The factory wheels and bumpers are included with the sale – set for late May 2017 in Villa Erba, Italy. The black hardtop and hood-mounted mirrors are perfect details for this iconic BMW.  This color is not a factory shade, as it was added early in the car’s life by its orignal owner. Just four lucky individuals have called this car their own, however, and its originality is …

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Fisker VLF F1 V10 Roadster Makes 745HP Shanghai Debut

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The VLF Roadster is finally here!  Now this stunning machine offers two huge upgrades unavailable on any of its donor-chassis Vipers:  an automatic transmission and an open-air convertible! Despite Viper instantly meaning roadster to many people, the current gen snake has been all hardtops since the 2000s.  That staves you of the teacup drive mood of a high-doored supercar PLUS the endless headroom of going topless.   VLF F1 V10 Roadster at Automechanica Shanghai! My favorite part is the low front windscreen & sexy rear hips! pic.twitter.com/0sWqOW7qKF — Henrik Fisker (@FiskerOfficial) April 23, 2017 The conversion here now only swaps …

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Delahaye 135S Competition 5

~1936 Delahaye 135 S Competition Roadster at Amelia [35 Photos]

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There is something really spectacular about “finding” a priceless exotic car just parked silently.  Slid into a space like any Camry, locked and left alone for however long.  The location helps.  This back lot is behind the Amelia Island Ritz residences.  On Concours weekend.  Which does tend to help the selection. WHen the car in question is the stunningly fast, low and lean Delahaye 135S Competition Roadster!? The patina of this car — its dull paintwork, its myriad road rash scars, and its unpolished brass grille details — shows it is likely authentic.  Sick, perhaps, but we thought it might …

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2017 PAGANI Huayra Roadster – Official Debut

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  Pagani’s latest creations always shake the Earth a little bit for hypercar fans.  This is a machine that makes a 918 Spyder feel like a Boxster. And so it is for the most beautiful Pagani yet: the Huayra Roadster. Twin rooves come standard: a glass targa panel and a soft-top kit for the frunk. Both promise an easy way to enjoy the AMG V12’s 770HP right over your ear. Added bonus for the Huayra Roadster?  You have a much better view of the rear wings and their g-force reactive moves around corners.  These slim planes of carbon create active …

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2016 BMW Z4 M Sport sDrive35i – HD Walkaround, Obituary and Photo Gallery

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BMW Z3/Z4: 1993-2016. Soon gone, but never forgotten!   As the last few Z4s are sold to customers, we mark the end of the line for the plucky and stylish BMW Z roadster.  It ceased production in August. The BMW Z3/Z4 used to be a huge tentpole for the brand.  In the 1990s the Z3’s arrival in stores was the most hotly anticipated arrival in the marque’s history.   A big lead time between when the Goldeneye Bond film gave us the first look at the car helped build excitement.  The fact that it would be made stateside was also huge …

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1959 Berkeley SE492 11

Kiawah 2016 Highlights – 1959 Berkeley SE492 – Micromini FWD English Roadster?!

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It is difficult to describe how small this car is. The 1959 Berkeley Sports Twosome SE492 is about the size of a normal carnival bumper-car.  And perhaps only slightly larger than most PowerWheels children’s toys. Its 70-inch wheelbase meets extremely low and narrow overall dimensions — and is literally dwarfed by some of the bigger classic cars parked nearby. The concept of a lightweight and cheap English roadster was taken to new millimeter-small dimensions during the 1956-1960 production run of the Berkeley automotive venture. The engine of this SE492 is an air-cooled triple making just 30 horsepower. A four-speed automatic send …

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1993 Alfa Romeo RZ by Zagato 11

RM Monaco 2016 – 1993 Alfa Romeo RZ by Zagato

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The Roadster Zagato is perhaps even more unique and special than its SZ (Sprint Zagato) hardtop sibling!  The styling is truly otherworldly for a production model.  Performance was pretty brisk, too.  A 210HP V6 drove the back wheels via a five-speed transaxle, ensuring good traction and weight distribution. 1993 Alfa Romeo RZ by Zagato RM Sotheby’s Monaco 14 May 2016 1993 Alfa Romeo RZ by Zagato Without Reserve Chassis no. ZAR16200003002164 Serial no. 145 Engine no. AK5150100138 Photo Credit: Tim Scott ©2016 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s Type ES-30. 210 bhp, 2,959 cc DOHC V-6 engine with electronic fuel injection, five-speed …

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1950 Jaguar XK120 Alloy Roadster 8

RM Monaco 2016 – 1950 Jaguar XK120 Alloy Roadster – War, Peace and Speed Records

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You can almost sense that how much post-war Jaguar was still heady with knowledge and insights from designing torpedos, fighter planes and bombers. On the return to civilian life, that knowledge greatly enhanced the performance of their vehicles. Their insight into light construction, aerodynamics and pure, function-first aesthetics is clear to see on this XK120 Alloy from 1950.  We love how these weapons-designers applied a softer, lighter mood overall to this sports roadster.  Its baby blue color only reinforces the peace-making mission this car would tackle. The hints of brutality and war, however, are not hard to find in this iconic machine’s design …

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HAMANN Lamborghini Aventador Roadster 8

HAMANN Lamborghini Aventador Roadster – Exotic Aerokit Banishes SV Envy

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If your Aventador is the crown jewel in your fleet, you may be experiencing some dissonance at the moment. Your Lambo is no longer the coolest and newest variant. The SuperVeloce coupe and roadster are now the hottest on the block. But is the SV set of tweaks from Lambo really worth getting an entirely new machine?  What about the $500k you spent in 2013? HAMANN to the rescue! There are dozens of ways to soup up your Lamborghini, but this eight-piece kit is one of the most effective for SV-besting looks. It is quite exotic, and the bodywork changes help to …

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1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Torpedo Sports by Barker 1

RM Arizona 2016 – 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Torpedo Sports by Barker

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What a lovely theme running through the auction list of RM Sotheby’s Arizona sale — happening today the 29th of January. Boat-tail roadsters from the 1930s are certainly a niche genre — but one that has significant value. Their rarity and beauty and hand-made nature makes these shapes all the more special. The shrouded rear fenders of this Phantom Torpedo are definitely something to write home about. The ultra-tall tires make the design flourish extra complex — but lead to a gorgeous trunkline design as a result.  A tall teardrop element forms the upper edge of the Torpedo’s tail — …

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1939 JAGUAR SS100 2½-Litre Roadster by Van den Plas 6

RM Arizona 2016 – 1939 JAGUAR SS100 Roadster by Van den Plas

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Long before it was shorthanded to the VDP option package, Van den Plas was making their name with stunning vehicles like this SS100. Favorite details in this gorgeous, closed-body art deco coachwork?  How about the insanely ballooned fenders, edged in a thick sheath of chrome all around the lower bodyside. Or that fabulous grille and blinding lights. But the all-time coolest detail?  The almost-nonexistent windshield — presented with no top edge and at an ultra raked angle — for 1939 or today! 1939 JAGUAR SS100 Roadster by Van den Plas RM Sotheby’s Arizona 28-29 January 2016 1939 SS 100 Jaguar …

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Roding Roadster R1-5

2016 Roding Roadster R1 by DAEHLER Competition Line

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  This is a really curious one.  The Roding Roadster is a bespoke carbon-fiber sportscar running a mid-engine BMW M twin-turbo six-cylinder.  Its factory output of about 320 ponies is stocked higher via Daehler Competition.  Output is now up to 450Hp — and put down to the pavement via a tweaked grip and suspension setup. The looks are a bit hit and miss — but are a clear expression of ultra-low-volume carbon fiber production methods. 2016 Roding Roadster R1 by DAEHLER Competition Line PRESS RELEASE January 2016 Roding Roadster R1 as exclusive Daehler competition line     Based upon long …

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Hypercar Heroes – Lamborghini DIABLO Evolution – VT to SE, Jota to SV, SVR and Roadster, then GTR and 6.0

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The Lamborghini Diablo is a true icon in the supercar business. And despite all the sideways hooning and 200MPH bragging rights, it is indeed a business. As the Diablo launch in 1990 seems farther and farther in the past, let’s look at how this car saw off challenges from all sides of the hypercar world.  And how the Diablo and Lamborghini’s clever reinventions helped the car evolve from an 80s throwback of a drive into an ultra-modern GTR and 6.0VT near the end of production in 2001. Think about that: 11 years.  Staying in production is an achievement in its …

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Concept Flashbacks – 2001 SEAT TANGO Trio – Cabrio, Roadster and Coupe Made Racy, Avante-Garde Superminis

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Here is the next evolution of the SEAT cabrio design concepts from around the turn of the century: the 2001 Tango twins. The Tango itself is a sexy expression of ultra-modern, flowing and intersecting surfaces. There is almost an abstract artistry to the hyper-curved elements of the Tango’s nose and hood. A nice aero strake is also a trademark part of the design theme shown here. The rounded hood and front arch then flows back and downward toward the rear axle. It is a nice look and one that translated directly to a generation of SEAT production cars very nicely. …

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1997 Ferrari F50 58

RM Paris 2016 Preview – 1997 Ferrari F50

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RM Sotheby’s is on a major roll lately — establishing classic cars as a true luxury auction staple, along with fine art of all kinds. The 2016 calendar is filling up fast. Some very exciting recent additions to the Paris auction on February 3rd, 2016….   1997 Ferrari F50   RM Sotheby’s Paris 3 February 2016 1997 Ferrari F50 Chassis no. ZFFTA46B000106825 Engine no. 45134 Body no. 210 Gearbox no. 380   520 bhp, 4,698 cc V-12 engine with Bosch Motronic 2.7 engine management, six-speed manual transmission, four-wheel independent suspension with coil springs and unequal-length wishbones, and four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes. Wheelbase: …

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1954 Kaiser-Darrin Roadster 5

RM Paris 2016 Preview – 1954 Kaiser-Darrin Roadster

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RM Sotheby’s is on a major roll lately — establishing classic cars as a true luxury auction staple, along with fine art of all kinds. The 2016 calendar is filling up fast — with some exciting new additions to the Paris auction on February 3rd, 2016. To kick off the preview, let’s feature this stunningly original and fabulous Kaiser-Darrin Roadster. Brave and innovative, the car was a massive super-GT car with power and prestige unlike its contemporaries. 1954 Kaiser-Darrin Roadster RM Sotheby’s Paris 3 February 2016 1954 Kaiser-Darrin Roadster Chassis no. 161-001031 Body no. 161-1031

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Concept Flashback – 1995 BMW Z18 is Fascinating Rally Roadster

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BMW Technik was really up to some clever stuff in the mid-1990s. This concept is chock full of interesting and production-bound ideas — even set far apart from the kooky nature of a rally roadster. A convertible crossover… as we might call it today. But still unlike anything this side of the Ariel Nomad in terms of purity of purpose. And the Z18 would actually be a pretty fun off-roader. Check out the nonexistent front bumper, fantastic ride height and river-ready wading depth. There is interesting ‘flame’ surfacing on the Z18, as a matter of fact, far before Bangle made …

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1959 BMW 507 Roadster Series II 6

RM NYC 2015 – 1959 BMW 507 Roadster Series II May Be Most-Valuable BMW with $3M Highball Estimate

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If this absolutely magnificent BMW 507 clears its pre-sale estimate of between 2.3 and 2.6 million, it will become one of — if not the — most valuable BMW of all time. The top five list from premier auction house RM Sotheby’s is exclusively 507 Roadsters, with the top sale earning $2.42M at Amelia Island 2014. With the presentation and provenance of this rare cabrio, we’d be surprised if the total sale was under $3-million.      Top 5 BMWs of all Time from RM Auctions Lot 152 | 2014 – Amelia Island – The Pray Collection 1958 BMW 507 …

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2016 Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce Roadster Premiere + Colorizer

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The new SV Roadster broke cover yesterday at the Quail — with the special bodywork, cabin and mechanical upgrades even more stunning on the open variant! The SV sports new carbon-fiber aero vanes and special venting details on all sides.  As it stands even next to the new Pirelli Aventador in white for the bearded announcement, the SV is a comprehensive makeover for the design of the Aventador. The big question for an SV Roadster was how Lambo would handle the unique SV engine cover design for the targa. The results are better than ever imagined: structural and artful painted …

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2005 Pagani Zonda S Roadster 1

Hypercar Heroes – 2005 Pagani Zonda S Roadster

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Name a car from 2005 that is more desirable today than this Pagani Roadster! This car is one of 25 Zonda Roadsters ever produced, and features a sweet combination: the ultra-rare manual gearbox option and the updated and quicker-revving 7.3-liter V12. Packing more displacement but a lighter weight than the original 7.0-liter AMG units, the Zonda F is still an icon of performance, design and artful beauty ten years after it was first sold. This very car earned about $750,000 when last sold by RM Auctions in London in 2010, but we suspect it might even go for more than …

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2010 Peugeot SR1 Concept 23

Concept Flashback – 2010 Peugeot SR1 Roadster Brought Beauty Back to Lion

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French auto giant Peugeot has made some real stinkers over the years — especially years starting in two-thousand. The face of the brand from around 2005 to around 2012 was a horrifying ghoul of a scream mask. Looking like it wanted to eat anything that got within its gaping maw, there was real shock among auto buyers at how amazingly fugly Pugs had become. Paired with notoriously long front overhangs, the grille graphic was the last etch on the Peugeot design coffin. The SR1 Concept roadster from 2010 was a firm pivot away from that hideous look.  It was a …

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Hall of Fame – 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680S Torpedo Roadster by Carrosserie J. Saoutchik

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Everyone loves Ferrari’s, but why do red stunners seem to be the main vehicles pulling seven-figure totals at auction? This Mercedes-Benz was a flagship for the newly-merged Daimler-Benz corporation — a way to show that the interwar reconstruction effort did not dull the engineering brilliance of the country. Mercedes looked to Jacques Saoutchik of Paris to handle coachwork on a few showcase vehicles — cars that would go on to star in branding ad campaigns around the world, and live in the record books for their massive speeds. 120-mph in the 1920s was an insane pace for the few owners who were …

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Original 1932 Ford Roadster Is 'Dry Lakes' Bonneville Speed Racer 3

Original 1932 Ford Roadster Is ‘Dry Lakes’ Bonneville Speed Racer

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It is hard to emphasize how rare it is to find a surviving, unrestored race-car from the glory days of dry-lake hotrod racing. This primer-grey example is a documented example with fantastic speed parts intact and a charming contrast orange look for its minimal roll bars and frame rails. Completely open-wheel and sans hood, this ’32 Ford has was a hero then for its massive speed, and is a hero today for making it six decades intact, unchanged from its pre-1950 state. The Roadster earned $180,000 at the Gooding Amelia Island auction, which was well below its estimate but likely …

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1956 Arnolt-Bristol Deluxe Roadster by Bertone 4

Update1 – RM Amelia 2015 – 1956 Arnolt-Bristol Deluxe Roadster by Bertone Brings $484k

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Updated with 26 Photos + Sale Price of $484,000 A few photos of the auction car inside the RM Auctions room at the Amelia Island Rita Carlton, plus a different Arnolt-Bristol of the same variety entering the concours field.   1956 Arnolt-Bristol Deluxe Roadster by Bertone As ever, these high-dollar auctions are a rare chance to see priceless classics out and about in the real world. This Arnolt-Bristol by Bertone certainly applies — a run of 143 total rebodies of the Bristol 404 completed to order by Bertone in Italy. The design shows how an odd chassis package can actually …

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POSIES 1935 Aeroliner 16

Amelia Island Customs – POSIES 1935 Aeroliner Sport Is One-Off ChopTop Dragster

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The photos of this custom-built Posies Aeroliner do not really do the vehicle justice. In the flesh, it is impossibly long, unbelievably low and seriously seductive. Loosely based on a 1935 Ford Roadster chassis, the Posies Aeroliner is now twice as long, runs giant exposed tires up front with no fenders, and drag-racing rubber in back under its elegant bodywork. The ultra-low roofline is a true chop-top dream come true, with almost zero daylight opening and a windshield small enough to fit in your back pocket. Overall, the impact of the car is undeniable! But the style is only half …

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Amelia Island 2015 - 1937 BMW 328 Mille Miglia Roadster 15

Amelia Island 2015 – 1937 BMW 328 Mille Miglia Roadster Is Magnificent

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PART TWO: The Roadster The BMW 328 Mille Miglia roadster seem here came before the coupe. It was a stepping-stone between the production 328 cabrio and the Touring Coupe seen in the second half of this page. The goal was as ultra-light reskin in alloy that would reduce drag, enhance stability at speed, and deliver outstanding performance to take on the best racecars in the world — and win. But the side benefit of the 328 Mille Miglia redesign? This roadster is one of the most beautiful silhouettes ever made. 1937 BMW 328 Mille Miglia Roadster   Imagine a single …

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2015 Lamborghini Aventador Roadster 1

2015 Lamborghini Aventador Roadster Sextet Lights Up Amelia Concours Weekend

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If one Aventador Roadster is shockingly loud, low and wide when you meet it in real life… imagine a string of a six blasting around your block for two days straight! Heavenly? Yes. These beasts are truly incredible in the flesh. The candy-colored paints here add a bit of light-hearted fun to what is really the benchmark supercar. Thrills, chills and only a half-million-dollar bill!? Sign me up. The Aventador Roadster is a nice mid-way point before stumping up to the real hypercar heroes — each costing well in excess of a million bucks. Lamborghini has made the Aventador Roadster …

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2008 Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster 13

RM Amelia Island 2015 Preview – 2008 Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster

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How time flies in the hypercar world! Only seven short years ago, this Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster was the absolute hottest, wildest machine on four wheels. With only 156 miles since new, the original owner clearly thought highly of the car and wanted to maximize its collector potential in the future. But again just seven short years later, he or she is making room in the garage. Perhaps for one of the hypercar class of 2015? 2008 Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster RM Auctions Amelia Island 14 March 2015 2008 Lamborghini Murciélago LP640-4 Roadster Chassis no. ZHWBU47S88LA03146

1956 Arnolt-Bristol Deluxe Roadster by Bertone 14

RM Amelia Island 2015 Preview – 1956 Arnolt-Bristol Deluxe Roadster by Bertone

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As ever, these high-dollar auctions are a rare chance to see priceless classics out and about in the real world. This Arnolt-Bristol by Bertone certainly applies — a run of 143 total rebodies of the Bristol 404 completed to order by Bertone in Italy. The design shows how an odd chassis package can actually inspire fantastic design solutions. The donor Bristol had a particularly tall engine, which needed to be shrouded in perhaps the Arnolt-Bristol’s most characteristic style: an almost cartoonishly-swoopy panel form. Disguised by the hood scoop, this tall hood profile makes the subtle nose and bulging rear fenders …

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2016 Mazda MX-5 Roadster 45 - Copy

2016 Mazda MX-5 Roadster Sexy, Cool and Mean in 52 New Photos

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With the all-new 2016 MX-5, we can imagine Mazda had a few design goals in mind. It would definitely need to look: — completely fresh and unable to be mistaken for existing cars — cool and masculine, with a mean streak that shows its performance edge — modern and stylish; a sexy flair to fire up roadster passion We were not completely sure about the design when first shown, but are firm believers now. How cool and sexy and mean is this little roadster in its latest dynamic photos from Spain? Very. Most of these cars on Euro plates are …

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AMG SLS Roadster by IKON Wraps 19

Houston Tuner Highlights – AMG SLS Roadster by IKON Wraps

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This AMG SLS benefits from more than just a perfect shimmery red foil-wrap — but actually a black-out all around for the grilles, detail pieces and windshield surround and matte racing stripes up the hood. Cool stuff. The car looks absolutely fresh in a way that few SLS Roadsters do. AMG SLS Roadster by IKON Wraps    

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2015 ARIEL Nomad – Exclusive Digital COLORIZER

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This Ariel Nomad is a very cool piece of news – even as CES is in full swing and Detroit is starting to build momentum ahead of press parties starting on Sunday. We’ve spent a bit of time in photoshop to create an exclusive color visualizer for the new Nomad — with our skills obviously best able to create bright, Skittles-style shades. We’ve also lightened and darkened the wheels for a few ideas of what the gloss-black optional rims might look like. This car seems like it is *perfect* for the X-raid class of rallying, and as such there are …

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ariel nomad

3.3s 2015 ARIEL Nomad – Tech Specs, Options and Full-Throttle Testing Video!

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Updated 1.6.2015 If anything, the real-life Ariel Nomad is even cooler than last week’s teaser renders indicated. Power is a stout 235-ponies, the Yokohama 35-inch mud tires are insane, and the options list will make you start drooling onto your touchscreen. Is there any downside to the ultra-light yet super-strong Ariel Atom chassis concept being applied to an off-roader? Not that we can think of. A heated windshield is even offered. The rear-engine playfulness and handling joy seem to apply themselves perfectly to the Nomad’s off-road mission — as well as guaranteeing traction for sprints and heavy braking. The 100-kph …

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VATH SLS AMG Roadster

VATH Blacks-Out SLS AMG Roadster With 700HP Supercharger and Slammed Stance

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VATH SLS AMG Roadster   702 PS SLS ROADSTER by VÄTH Automobiltechnik Since November 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS Roadster is the first vehicle independently developed by AMG for sale. In a relatively short time many prospective customers have given in to the magical charm of Swabian sports car, which program is Sport Leicht Super (the short form being SLS). Such a tidbit in the best sense needs no correction, or does it? Increase in efficiency in everything that company works with is one of many special spheres of VÄTH Company in Bavarian Hösbach. As for the here represented SLS Roadster, a …

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RM Texas 2014 Highlights – 2001 Ford Thunderbird and 2003 Ford Thunderbird Supercharged Concepts

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The RM Auctions Texas 2014 sale in 2014 centered on Sam Pack’s amazing collection of 100-plus amazing American icons. Of all the marques in the world, Mr. Pack loved Ford best. And as far as Ford models, the Thunderbird was his all-time favorite. This is readily apparent looking through the catalog – with at least 10 Thunderbirds of all eras included in pristine, flawless condition. These two are part of a rare Ford sale of the original auto show concept cars from the 2000s. The 2001 Thunderbird Sports Roadster concept was widely liked when it debuted, and production was fast-tracked. …

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2015 ARIEL Nomad is Off-Roader With ATOMic Lightness and Speed!

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Thrilled to see the latest move from Ariel Motors in the UK: an off-road version of its legendary Atom sports car! This new variant is called the Nomad and is based on the latest Atom 3 running gear — but with a totally new roll-cage/chassis combination, a huge suspension upfit and giant dune-munching tires. A windshield is also in the mix on the teaser shots. This will be helpful for keeping the mud and sand out of your face! 200-horsepower is the output from the rear-engine Nomad, with rear-drive keeping things just a few hundred pounds up on the flyweight …

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Mecum Kissimmee 2015 Preview – 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster in 100 Gorgeous Photos

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You can really tell when a classic car up for auction soon is a real pride and joy of its owner. In the case of this 1963 Mercedes 300SL, the love really jumps from the photos intact. It is especially amazing to see such loving photos of a silver/red 300SL because the color set is popular enough to be cliche. So for it to be so amazingly represented here is a big deal. We wish this SL Roadster the best at Mecum Auction’s Kissimmee, Florida event in mid-January 2015 — and might even head down there to attend it in …

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Concept Flashback – 2011 Chevrolet Miray Roadster Was Chevy Europe Halo Sportster

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Chevy Europe! Eeek. Remember that adventure? The ManU jerseys are definitely bow-tie-blazing this year, thanks to a huge a executive media marketing decision that costs General Motors more than half a billion dollars. During that rush of launching Chevrolet as a global brand — including Europe — the Opel Germany teams were suddenly tasked with a variety of extremely mundane projects. One extra sexy spinoff project slipped through the net for Frankfurt 2011, however. It was called Miray and is a breathtaking roadster vision. Designed in the same zeitgeist as the BMW i8 Roadster and Porsche 918 Spyder, the Miray …

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Concept Flashback – 2001 Toyota FXS Roadster Was Riviera-Style EV Supercar

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The Toyota FXS concept from 2001 was one of the first full vehicle ideas from the Nice, France-based Toyota ED2 studio. Short for Toyota European Design and Development, ED2 has since delivered a variety of cool and not-so-cool production cars — including the latest Yaris and the unloved Lexus SC430 of the mid-2000s. This concept is important because it showed an innovative hybrid powertrain with an ultra-smooth underbody and sleekness in all its exterior shapes. A steep drop-nose style established thed FXS as a super sports car, as does the chopped windshield and cab-backward propotion. The rear taillamp in a …

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Meet 2016’s Hottest Hypercars: LaFerrari Roadster vs McLaren P1 Spider

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We can only take full credit for the McLaren renderings shown here – the LaFerrari Roadster  is from Garrett Bradford’s blog. But pairing up these fantasy renderings seems logical. Both will heavily leverage the folding-top tech from the 458 and 650S cabriolets, with flying buttresses to house parts of the folding hardtop mechanicals and three-piece folding panels to stack compactly above the engine bays. Of course, a flatter tail is definitely sexier — as shown by this unfinished render draft. So, why Spider versions of these hardcore hypercars? It is a natural evolution for both, and allows production of an …

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Quail Classics – 1950 Healey Silverstone Roadster Is Race-Optimized Aerolithe

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We need an article to put together while my pulse comes down after totally breaking this website a few hours ago. Learning to be a webmaster on the fly is fraught with peril. Would Healey have said the same thing about his much-wider Silverstone roadster for 1950? This ‘E-Type’ Healey was widened by more than a foot versus the D-Type of 1949, which was initially planned as an affordable vehicle to slide under a $4,000 cap at which new car taxes doubled from 33-percent to 66-percent. The plan was to put Jaguar and Alfa-Romeo and Maserati power and tech into …

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1998 Volkswagen W12 Roadster Is Best-of-Group Hypercar R&D Exercise

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Part three of the VW W12 saga: the W12 Roadster. Gorgeous and finely resolved, the W12 Roadster finally solved the quadry of the ugly rear engine cover and funky side window issues of the coupes. 1998 Volkswagen W12 Roadster   Recapping the VW W12 concept saga has been extremely perplexing, with numerous mistakes and edits in the first article below. In fact, the yellow W12 SYNCHRO was the first of the three W12 concept cars. This example, designed by ItalDesign Giugiaro, is actually far more thoroughly engineered on a production design level than the final W12 NARDO Coupe in orange. …

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2015 Audi TT and TTS Roadster Revealed Before Paris Show

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   Official details below from Audi. 2015 Audi TTS Roadster     Early airing for all-new Audi TT Roadster ahead of Paris show world debut Open-top version of all-new Audi sports car retains classic roadster format but sets new class standards for agility, efficiency and in-car technology All-new TT Roadster and TTS Roadster models to make their World debut at the Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris (October 4 to 14) TT Roadster models available to order in the UK from mid-November priced from £31,955 OTR to £37,555 OTR – first deliveries in March 2015 310PS TTS Roadster available to order …

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Gooding Pebble Beach 2014 Highlights – 1926 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Playboy Roadster

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Here is a real glam-shuttle for Jay Gatsby himself. If only it were yellow, it might finally woo Zelda from across West Egg…. The Playboy Roadster’s sale price of $264,000 is at the low end of the estimate, with lots of upward mobility in the future.   1926 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Playboy Roadster   CAR HIGHLIGHTS One of 28 Brewster Playboy Roadsters One of 15 Playboys Retrofitted to a Springfield Silver Ghost Chassis Recent Mechanical Work by Rolls-Royce Specialists Taylor’s of West Sussex, UK TECHNICAL SPECS 7,428 CC Side-Valve L-Head, Inline 6-Cylinder Engine Two Jet-Type Carburetor 85 BHP at 2,300 …

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Charleston Cars and Coffee Mini Gallery – 2011 TESLA Roadster

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It is really, really easy to hate Tesla Motors. As a VC-backed startup that has made a successful ‘exit’ into the stock market, they are a hero to many in the Silicon Valley area. They also have a tangible, physical product sold in an established and very competitive industry. But even so, Tesla is immensely irritating to observe. The owner of this Roadster was definitely smelling her own smug farts early and often. Luckily, Tesla’s cars are actually pretty good. Only a handful of photos of this lovely 2011 Tesla Roadster, but it is definitely still a rare machine. And …

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3.9s, 565HP 2014 Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Roadster – FULL Debut in 80 Photos, Video + Engine Clips and Builder Details

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Small car, huge engine. This has been the most successful formula for making lively sports cars since the AC Cobra and before. To that end, Aston Martin has dropped its latest and greatest 6.0-liter V12 into its smallest roadster: the Vantage. With performance of just 3.9-seconds to 60-mph through the automatic transmission, an exhaust note that gives you goose bumps every time, and personalization options that run to 30-plus colors — this is the pinnacle of Aston Martin in 2014.   SONIC DEBUT VIDEO DEBUT 2014 Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Roadster 2014 Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Roadster Full …

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Hypercar Showcase – 2014 Lamborghini Aventador Trumped Only By Aventador J and Aventador Roadster

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As any bull-runner will know: the only thing scarier than one 2,000-pound beast with 18-inch horns on its head is three of them in lockstep sprint. Such is the Roadster, J — for Jota — and standard Aventador. The J is sold-out and no longer available, which is a huge shame for how amazingly cool its design is. No windshield at all on this one. Not passing US crash test/ rollover standards is a big issue toward putting the Jota forward to series production versus small-batch. Because even while the US market is no longer Lamborghini’s only cash cow bull, …

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Concept Flashback – 2007 Nissan Round Box Is Leaf/Cube/iQ Roadster Mashup

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Here is a fun one! Back in 2007, this little city run-about might have earned a photo or two in a small concepts section of our car magazines. At least, this is what I tell myself to justify not remembering it at all! The design is actually pretty appealing in its interpretation of a Scion iQ or Smart Fortwo competitor. The best aspect of the squat aesthetic and wide proportions, which become much slimmer moving from the wheel areas and up into the glasshouse. One element slid through to production almost intact on the Nissan Leaf EV — the headlights! …

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Meet the Original 1964 Ford GT40 Concept and 1965 GT40 Roadster Prototype

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The GT40 was actually a pretty derivative design – with a chassis and overall structure partially borrowed from Lola. But the GT40 as it came from Lola was not a winner right away. While the Mark I GT40 is a bit more pure, and a lot more beautiful by many eyes — it was not a race-winner. The GT40 started winning races with the Mark II GT40 with its huge air scoops, front sill spats, and other aero mutations to the overall design. But still – it is hard to argue with the clean beauty of these initial concept prototypes. …

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2016 BMW Z4 Rendering – Vision Car_Revs_Daily Future-Proofs 328 Hommage Concept

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PART FOUR! How to Make the Next BMW Z4 As Sexy As It Should Be. What a chain of articles… This is the last segment in this BMW Z4 Concept series – one that shows below how many more people like the modern Vision ConnectedDrive more than they like the 328 Hommage. The X-ed out lights do the 328 Hommage no favors, nor does the brown carbon-fiber. But regardless, they both have issues. So we took to photoshop to blend the best elements of both with a dash of future spice for good measure. This seems alot easier than it …

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Photo Polls VOTE For Your Favorite BMW Roadster Design – 328 Hommage versus Vision CD

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PART THREE: How to Make the Next BMW Z4 As Sexy As It Should Be. Okay now! We’ve decided in the previous Concept Flashback articles that both these 2011 BMW concept cars have some unusual bits. They are harder to love than they should be. These are not four-door sedans, or even hot SUVs. These are pure-bred sports cars. Two-seat, rear-drive roadsters. Remember how you felt when the 1994 BMW Z3 came out? That is what we are going for here. An immediately craving. ON TO THE VOTING… Here are two photo polls of the BMW concept roadsters. Including each …

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Concept Flashback, Part Two – 2011 BMW Vision ConnectedDrive is Future-Themed 2016 BMW Z4 Testbed

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PART TWO: First Part is here. And also included at bottom of page below. http://www.car-revs-daily.com/2014/06/20/2011-bmw-328-hommage/ 2011 BMW Vision ConnectedDrive In the previous 328 Hommage article, we outlined all the reasons the current Z4 is struggling to find a sexy new direction for its next-gen model, expected in 2015 or 2016. This pair of concepts from 2011 explore two different paths to luring buyers back into the two-door BMW roadster fold. Let us begin on a positive note: we love the tail of both cars, and like the doors in the Vision Connected Drive. We animated them here sinking into the …

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Concept Flashback – 2011 BMW 328 Hommage is Retro-Themed 2016 Z4 Teaser

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BMW has some awesome concept cars. This is beyond a doubt. Even if they seem totally bonkers when they are revealed – cars like the ~2001 X-Coupe – the logic behind their creation and display often makes sense in the decade that follows. So what to make of the 2013 BMW 328 Hommage? A car created with an overt nod to the BMW 328 roadster and coupe racecar in the 1930s — but with a decidedly unusual and future-looking appearance. After preparing articles about both the 328 Hommage and the 2011 BMW Vision ConnectedDrive — much new information has come …

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Updated with 36 New Photos – 1989 BMW Z1 in Spartanburg, SC

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A bit less to say about the Z1, which is unusual for me.  For many, many years the Z1 was my all-time favorite car. I saw one in Germany as a young child and was instantly smitten by its power-sinking doors and ultra-refined aero profile. To me, it was everything a BMW sports car should be. Versus the large and imposing 635CSi and 750iL of the time, it was nothing short of a revelation for BMW lovers worldwide. Even today, its shapely panels are quite bewitching. The Z1 was originally a concept that met rapturous demand from the market, so …

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2013 BMW R90S Concept Celebrates 40 Years of the R90 and 90 Years Making Bikes

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This BMW Concept 90 is the 2013 incarnation of a raw new BMW aesthetic that might be coming to two wheels near you. Shown at the same Villa d’Este Concours that the 2014 BMW Concept Roadster appeared, these two make an interesting counterpoint to the modern designs employed by BMW motorcycles today. Overall, the Concept R90S is delightful. It evokes the best days of Bonneville high-speed runs on the salt flats, beach-side California glamour, and beauty in the details. It also makes the rider a much more critical part of the mechanical and aero package. This Concept Ninety really is …

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RM Auctions Monterey 2014 Preview – 1953 Lancia Aurelia PF200C Spider by Pinin Farina

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Wouldn’t you have love to meet the Farina clan? They are to Italian creativity what the Agnelli’s are to Italian heavy industry. Shrewd, forward-looking, mad as hatters, and always great with the chalk/charcoal — here is a firm founded in 1930 by Battista Farina and carried in the family through Sergio and later Andrea, until the latter’s untimely death in 2008. Many, many family fortunes are totally gone by the third generation. The second generation runs the company fairly well, under the continued tutelage of the master founder — aka, ‘grandpa.’ The second-gen is usually a prodigy of some kind …

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Atlanta Dream Cars Showcase – BMW GINA Light Visionary Roadster

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When you travel a long distance to see someone, you want the ‘real thing’ when you get there, right? You want all the sensory action you have been dreaming about on the long trip to see her. I was thinking quite a bit about the BMW GINA on my drive to Atlanta in my Subaru Legacy GT — with its insufficient A/C making me feel like a honey-baked ham after five hours in the car. I pondered: Would the surfaces be moving, or would they be set in a certain pose? Might there be someone on hand to shift her …

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Vision GT Concept Car Teasers – What Is Left? Subaru, Lexus, Honda, Tesla, Aston, Ford, GM…

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Oh yes! Were you growing a bit fatigued with the GranTurismo VisionGT concepts? Well, brace yourself! We are only about 20-percent of the way through the major manufacturer releases – only Mercedes-Benz AMG, VW GTI Roadster, Mitsu XR-PHEV and a handful of others have been seen so far.   This leaves the vast majority still to come, in a drip feed about once monthly over the next year or more. Why this slow trickle? It is to provide space for each car to be driven by people in the game, and room to breath around the other announcements. Here are …

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2014 Nissan GT1 Vision GranTurismo Concept? Mysterious Teaser Shows Hypercar Proto

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Nissan GT1 Vision GranTurismo What is this high-performance creature!? I almost fell out of my chair when I saw this photo on Nissan’s press site today. The car could be dubbed the GT1 or perhaps the NC2020 — short for Nissan Concept 2020, we imagine. Nothing is certain. The only word is that Nissan will tell us more next Monday, June 16th. Our hunch is that this might be the next installment of the Vision GranTurismo concept car series – liket he VW Vision GTI Roadster and dozens of other custom machines made for GT6 drivers. This would make sense …

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BMW Motorrad Concept Roadster is Boxer Ducati-Fighter for Lake Cuomo

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Here is a new BMW Roadster that is (or, rather: might.. eventually be) not only affordable, but truly bring the road to your brainstem in HD via all five senses. Granted, this boxer twin rumbler it does lack four wheels… but even on two, this is an exciting step for the BMW Motorrad program – bridging the gap between BMW scooters and full sport cycles with a fun and contemporary take on a city roadster. Key parts of the design are deconstructed mechanical pieces, but there are future-tech flashes like the solid-state LED lighting element in front. Overall, the BMW …

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Volkswagen Vision GTI Roadster for GT6 Scores 4Motion and 500HP Twin-Turbo VR6

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The GranTurismo Vision concept series is still in roll-out mode – there are perhaps 20 more special concept cars still to come from all sorts of brands, including Lexus, Subaru Alfa-Romeo and more. Subaru’s looks very tasty – stay tuned for more details on Subie’s fast wagon prototype. For today, however, all eyes are on the VW #VisionGTI – a deliciously chopped-top roadster that is also packing huge four-wheel-drive power. Tallies are nearly 500-horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque to the 4Motion drivetrain. A seven-speed DSG is also in the mix – ensuring this little GTI will be running hot …

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RM Monterey 2014 Preview – 1965 Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype

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Ahh, the joy of discovery. Discovery? Is that the right word for ‘finding’ something that many knew about before, and which has existed for the last 50 years? Hm… Nevertheless, imagine my surprise and delight upon seeing this GT40 Roadster Prototype on the RM Auctions website today. Less than a month ago we asked ourselves a hypothetical question: what if there had been a GT40 Can-Am Spyder? It is great to see that not only is there one, there were 12 made in all. This one has an all-star owner and driver list that includes none other than Carroll Shelby …

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Wealth Dreams: Powered by the Evergreen Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster

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Orig Published on: Dec 30, 2013 @ 9:08 There are some cars whose optional engines and trim levels are really ‘make-or-break’ items, but the evergreen Mercedes-Benz SL roadster is not one of them. Put simply: there is no bad option, only excellent and beyond excellent. The SL550 is a real dream-boat of a machine. A three-season athlete of a cabrio – one that even looks chic and fast with its hard-top up. That is not something that can be said of many other hardtop convertibles. Enjoy this exterior love-fest, featuring the gorgeous SL550, SL63 AMG and the scary-fast SL65 AMG. …

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1928 BMW Dixi Roadster – Zentrum Museum

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Okay!  Final roadster article from the BMW Zentrum Museum and delivery center in Spartanburg. The Z3, Z8 and Z4 Alpina and many others are featured in this mini museum, but these three are stand-outs for me in how the each speak to their respective decades so effectively. What do I mean? Well, the 1928 Dixi is far ahead of its time versus the heavy and getting-heavier American cars of the period, which were anything but sporty in corners. Or the slow-coaches of England, for that matter, where 5-mph was generally “too fast.” for urban areas or rural routes.   The …

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Concept Flashback: 2006 BMW GINA Light Visionary Roadster – Animations of Dynamic Surfaces

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2006 BMW GINA – Animations of Dynamic Surfaces The 2006 Concept GINA is still a memorable favorite. While the idea of a fabric-wrapped, space-frame skeleton is tough to fathom, it is a real possibility in the coming years.Why? Active aerodynamics and panel shaping are far simpler without stamped steel or alloy for the main panels. Even though the GINA is visually polarizing, this concept is certainly ahead of its time. Imagine surfaces weighing 1/10th the amount of even the lightest carbon-fiber panels. The BMW Z4 would suddenly tip the scales at perhaps 2,200 pounds versus ~3,500 – which is nothing …

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1989 BMW Z1 in Spartanburg, SC -High Demand but High Price

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1989 BMW Z1 in Spartanburg, SC -High Demand but High Price A bit less to say about the Z1, which is unusual for me.  For many, many years the Z1 was my all-time favorite car. I saw one in Germany as a young child and was instantly smitten by its power-sinking doors and ultra-refined aero profile. To me, it was everything a BMW sports car should be. Versus the large and imposing 635CSi and 750iL of the time, it was nothing short of a revelation for BMW lovers worldwide. Even today, its shapely panels are quite bewitching. The Z1 was …

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Amelia Island Time Capsules: $903k 1937 Bugatti Type 57C Roadster — Leaves Me Cold — Find Out Why?

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Plowing through my gigantic Amelia Island photo folders. =] Not only do I rarely meet a Bugatti I do not like — I think the Amelia Island 2014 event was the first time I have ever touched any Bugatti, whatsoever! Therefore, you can imagine my internal surprise at my blase feelings toward this magnificent 1939 57C — which were less than positive. I just didn’t like it. The color seemed off, the coachwork overwrought, and certainly not nearly as stunning, genuine and authentically-desirable as the racecars across the room. I blamed poor lighting on day one due to the car …

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Video Walk-Around + 33 Photos – 1935 Amilcar G36 Pegasé Boattail Roadster

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This car is quite special. The video notes that thhe Pegase Boattail Roadster was by Jacques Soutchek, but that may not be the case. The tiny Amilcar company of Paris certainly shared much of the Soutchek style shown in various custom Delehaye’s and Bugatti’s — a style which was typically hand-formed alloy and steel by only a small group of skilled craftsmen like Mr. S. Overall, the Pegase Boattail Roadster is most notable for its rarity and immaculate presentation, if not its sheer pace or the grandeur of some of the gigantic Delehaye’s and Bugatti’s from this interwar period. Tent/Lawn …

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2016 PAGANI Huayra Roadster by ALDO SICA

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2016 PAGANI Huayra Roadster I was all prepared to promote these amazing designs by aspiring car design student Aldo Maria Sica with the standard fluff about how students must put their skills to use — and mean no infringement by using well-known (and well-guarded) brand names and likenesses on their design studies.   But the world is already very aware of Aldo Sica’s great talent — his LinkedIn shows he landed a dream job working for Bugatti design in Berlin. A quick hop up from Torino where he studied transportation design — it is still a six-hour journey many students …

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Pre-War Rolls-Royce Showcase — Phantom II Henley Roadster A Sweet, Smooth Operator — Gooding & Co. Amelia Island 2014

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It was convertible Rolls-Royce season down in Florida last weekend!   Three exceptional pre-war Rollers were in proud residence, with both soft-tops bringing in far more cash than the single hardtop: the 1929 Phantom I Newmarket. All are exceptionally-desirable, but clearly some more than others. Results for the cars featured here are included with headers noting which is which. The real star of the show was the Henley Roadster, but the 1933 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Three-Position Drophead Coupe has many merits of its own. One quick one? This was the firm’s official 1933 Paris auto show car. A running, bespoke concept …

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Corrida de los Aventadores! Amelia Island is New Pamplona? Two Stunning Lamborghini V12 Flagships

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Too many bullfighting metaphors for this early in the morning? We are resisting the urge to put in Chayanne’s “Torero” pop song in here as well… so it could always be worse!   Si hay que ser, torero Poner el alma en el ruedo No importa lo que se venga Pa’que sepas que te quiero Como un buen torero Me juego la vida por tí…. ** loose translation** If you must be a bullfighter: you put your soul in harm’s way No matter the outcome No matter how you hope it will go Like a good fighter I play this lifegame …

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Concept Flashback: Zagato Draws A Blank Trying to Make 2012 BMW Z4 Roadster and Z4 Coupes Sexy Again

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The 2012 BMW Z4 faced a real crisis of confidence. While overall roadster sales have fallen off a cliff since 2009, the Z4’s problems are even more severe.  From an all-star BMW style icon … into a niche-within-a-niche model that tallies sales in the hundreds per year? But was the styling of the fourth-gen car partly to blame? The original Z3 was such a smash hit – I can clearly recall being smitten with this humdrum four-banger roadster. Even on steel wheels, it look fantastic. Even with just a 20-second James Bond Goldeneye cameo its only claim to fame at …

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