Automobiliac at the Greenwich Concours - FULL GALLERY

This weekend, I attended the annual Concours D'Elegance in Greenwich, CT.  It was the 5th or 6th time I've been, and I have to say that the highlight for me is always the parking lot outside the show! Not only is it free (unlike the now $30 entry fee, which is frankly exorbitant for an event so small) but there is more of a serendipitous aspect to seeing what happens to turn up! This year my Parking Lot Best in Show award goes to an exquisite Maserati Bora that was offered for sale. Finished in black, with an immaculate yet lived in tan leather interior, this Bora was as nice as they come. I really would love to know what the guy is asking for it!  Runner up was a lovely Lancia Fulvia HF which had a wonderfully snarling, snorty exhaust note as the owner pulled away.  Inside the show, there was a breathtaking Cisitalia "Nuvolari" Spider, which really should have had pride of place, but was inexplicably stuck by the port-a-potties in a spot where you couldn't even get close to it.  One of my other highlights was a lime green Ferrari Daytona Coupe, similar in color to the green GTO that was just sold for 35 million.  The Pininfarina-bodied Corvette Rondine show car was a surprise and delight, very much presaging the surfacing that would later be found on the FIAT 124 spider. This is natural, as both cars flowed from the pen of the young American designer Tom Tjaarda. Some other Italian rarities included an Iso Lele, De Tomaso Longchamp, an Intermecchanica Italia, and a Momo Mirage--the only car at the show that completely baffled me as to its identity!There was a "barn find" Chrysler Imperial custom that had a sumptuous Art Moderne interior featuring cabinetry and a clock in the passenger compartment.  In line with the current fetishization of neglect, the car was talked about in hushed tones. But photos of the car on display show that it was in reasonably good shape until the 90s-- I'd say someone owes us an explanation!Easily the most flamboyant car in the show was this tacky yet oddly compelling custom Rolls Royce.  The brightwork is quite fussy, but the actual geometry of the car is clean and crisp. The best design detail was the framless windshield, consisting of a single pane of glass! Quite remarkable.

Click HERE to see the entire gallery. Don't forget to see PAGE 2 as well!

The Art of Hooning

From the land down under that invented the term "hoon" come these beautiful and otherworldly photos of burnouts by photogrpaher Simon Davidson. Just breathtakingly beautiful images of a very peculiar subculture. Also check out his gorgeous Bonneville gallery!All photos copyright Simon Davidson

Malaise Era Moment of Zen

Nothing conjures up a feeling of silvery melancholy like this lonely Chevy Celebrity cruising down a two-lane highway. I think Mitt Romney should tour around in one of these to get back in touch with Real America.

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Poetics of Speed: The Racing Photography of Dale Kistemaker

One of the great things about having a blog is getting emails from fascinating people you never would otherwise meet.  Such is the case with Dale Kistemaker, who shared some wonderful tales with me regarding his time as a racing photographer both at F1 races as well as Le Mans in the early 1980s.  The best of them involves Dale being driven round La Sarthe by Derek Bell in the Le Mans Porsche 956 at racing speeds!Dale has been posting images from his archives at his aptly-named site: Poetics of Speed. His work is not typical motorsports photography, because a lot of it focuses on what is going on around the main attraction rather than focusing directly on the main attraction.  His focus on the details, the textures, and the atmosphere of Grand Prix racing, allied with the vivid colors and sharpness of his imagery are quite an intoxicating combination. I personally love all the intense driver portraits he got (see Keke Rosberg below, and study all the activity going on in his reflective glasses as he coolly smokes his cigarette.) as well as the garage and tool-box still lifes that really paint a picture of the time period, the technology, the people, and the tools. Below are my personal favorites from the site.All images copyright Dale Kistemaker, used with permission. Poetics of Speed

Misty Crossing

A clear day in Brooklyn gave way to this eerie fog as we crossed the Verrazano Bridge into Staten Island. The setting sun was veiled in the mist, adding to the spectacular effect.