The List – Part II – Automotive Views

A little over a year ago I decided to write an article called The List; it featured the 20 cars I’d absolutely have to get if I had the money to spend on a “dream garage”…The article was well received and for a long time that was that, all good. But cars being one of the things that occupy my mind the most in my downtime, I kept thinking there were more models I wish I had included but didn’t and ended up deciding that because this is a hypothetical thing anyway, why not assume that instead of multi millionaire I could be multi billionaire and just add 20 more for good measure?

A couple of notes: prices are based on what’s available for sale right now, October 2013 unless otherwise specified. The years mentioned are either production runs or specific years for the particular model/variant I refer to. All the links included in the text are relevant to the article, no publicity so feel free to click away!

01.

Aston Martin DBS (2007-2012)

Why this car?

When it comes to class, Aston Martin is in a league of its own. There’s no other manufacturer in the world which holds the cool points that Aston does. In fact, no one comes even remotely close to putting fine, high price machinery on the road the way Aston Martin does. Epitomy of British style, the Aston brand has always graced the world with gorgeous creations and the DBS was no exception. James Bond’s choice of ride to wreck, the DBS is beyond beautiful and, in my humble view, absolutely perfect from every single angle.

What’s the damage?

US – $120.000 to $180.000

UK – £80.000 to £120.000

Why not…

A brand new model like a Virage or a Vanquish? Because Aston has fallen to the disease that affects pretty much all car manufacturers in the world right now and which gets them to make their whole lineup look the same so people with less money don’t feel bad for not driving the top of the range option (at least theirs looks like it). I can barely tell many of the new cars apart, including pricey ones like Astons.

02.

Bentley Continental Supersports (2009-now)

Why this car?

The Continental GT has always been a good looking car in my eyes. Sure, the rear is hideous but all Bentleys have hideous rears so I won’t hold it against it (and now Mercedes is making a serious play for king of the ugly rears with the new S-class…geez!). The real problem with the Continental GT was always the people who buy it. Thankfully the Supersports annihilated that issue; so called celebrities are scared of the noise, the speed (0-60 in 3.7 seconds), the fact that there are no rear seats to put other so called celebrities in. The Supersports dropped the “GT” badge for a good reason, it is not a grand tourer, it is a mean, angry, no nonsense car and I love it for it.

What’s the damage?

US – $110.000 to $180.000 (The one featured in this article is for sale right now by the good people of Bentley Gold Coast, Chicago Illinois.)

UK – £70.000 to £100.000

Why not…

A regular Continental GT? Because no Supersports owner would ever get one to look like this, OR this, OR this; certainly NOT like this.

03.

Chevelle SS (1970)

Why this car?

There’s a lot that could be said about the 1970 Chevelle…in fact volumes could be dedicated to it. However, I think Tumblr user onesilentcall found the precise (and quite poetic) words to describe it:

“They say God created the world in six days, then rested on the seventh. On the eighth day, the Almighty realized He needed a way to get from one place to the other.

And so He created the Chevelle.

And in the year of our Lord Nineteen Hundred and Seventy, like Prometheus stealing fire from Olympus, Chevrolet stole God’s chariot.”

With these words onesilentcall wasn’t only accurate, he also won the internet.

What’s the damage?

US – Widely varies; depends on what you wanna get under the hood: 350, 396 or the big daddy 454. The one featured in this article is a 396 which usually goes from $35.000 to $60.000 (in pretty good/great condition); a completely restored 454 however, let’s say an LS6 numbers matching…it can go beyond $100.000

UK – Aprox. £40.000/£45.000 (For a 396) – Buying in France is probably a better option.

Why not…

A 69 Chevelle? A 1970 convertible? Yes. I’d like ALL the Chevelles please. But the icon, the legend…that’s this one right here, 70 hardtop coupe.

04.

Dodge Charger (1968-1969-1970)

Why this car?

No, I don’t like the 68 Charger because of Bullitt; I don’t like the 69 one because of the Dukes of Hazzard; and I don’t like the 70 model because of the Fast and the Furious. I love the second generation Charger not for the roles it played on TV and film, but because it is THE most badass muscle car to ever come out of Detroit and that’s a title that no other car will ever take away from it. It looks evil, ferocious and extremely pissed off all the time…I absolutely love it for that! The Charger is perfect, there’s no other word for it. It is American muscle personified. Any Charger is a good Charger but I’m particularly fond of the 440 R/T like the one in the pictures. I’d certainly hate to die without owning one of these.

What’s the damage?

US – This is a tricky one…finding a good, relatively affordable Charger is a very, very difficult task…maybe you’ll be able to find something for about $50.000, less than that you’re rolling the dice for disaster. Sure, you can buy one that’s been through a nut and bolt restoration but that will set you back a good 80 to 100+ grand.

UK – £30.000 to £40.000 (good condition but not show car quality, obviously)

Why not…

Question doesn’t apply, there’s nothing that can even begin to be compared to a 2^nd gen. Charger

05.

Facel Vega II (1962-1964)

Why this car?

Arguably the best looking French car ever made after the Citroen DS, the Vega II was the ride of choice for everyone who was anyone in the early 60’s and it’s plain to see why. You can read all about the Vega II and why I love it in one of my previous articles here.

What’s the damage?

Couldn’t find a single one for sale. Last estimate I was able to dig up from Oct. 2011 at the Dupon Registry read £190.000 to £240.000 on one heading for auction.

Why not…

Another Facel? The Vega I (HK500) maybe? Well, because it’s simply not as pretty as the II (I have to confess however that after a life-long distaste for the HK500’s looks, while I was writing this article I came across some photos of it and just found it cute as hell – still not as beautiful as the II, but pretty darn good looking! I’m amazed; one’s tastes do change a lot…impressive). With this car Facel peaked as far as style, especially since the company gravely messed up with the Facelina/Facel III (I won’t even start on the engines problem). I’m talking about coupes of course, not referring to the stunning, mouth watering, heart attack inducing Excellence. Speaking of which…

06.

Facel Vega Excellence EX/EX1 (1958-1961)

Why this car?

There are certain cars which just look like they belong in some sort of alternate fantasy universe; that’s what I think about when I look at the Excellence. It feels like it came to life in the pages of a noir graphic novel! It is an astonishing creation. By 1961 Facel had already messed up the Excellence by ridiculously and incomprehensibly getting rid of the wraparound windshield and shapely tail fins, so the ones to have are either the EX (1958; 11 made, reportedly 7 left) or EX1 (1958-1961; 137 made, no reports on how many survived). The EX was equipped with a 426 Hemi while the EX1 models had a Chrysler wedge V8 with 360bhp. The beautiful pillarless structure with suicide doors in the back predated the Lincoln Continental, a car which is usually thought of as the ultimate expression of this kind of design. However as we all know, great beauty usually comes with a price. The structural reinforcement made the Excellence very heavy and laborious to drive. Plus, HonestJohn reports that when loaded, the car would actually sag in the middle making it impossible to open or close doors. Do I care about that? Not even the slightest, this thing is too pretty to pass up; the doors could be welded shut and I’d still be ok with it, I’d climb in through the window and be happy.

What’s the damage?

I could only found one for sale by the good people of JB Classic Cars in Boskoop, Netherlands. The price is however undisclosed.

Why not…

A Lagonda Rapide or Lincoln Continental of the same period? I honestly love both but to put it bluntly – in my humble personal opinion – the Excellence is simply much, much prettier.

07.

Ferrari 288 GTO (1984)

Why this car?

Remember when road legal Ferraris were pure, untamable beasts and not just electronically controlled idiot proof pacifiers for rich spoiled playboy wannabes? Yeah, me neither, it’s been so long…But hey, to be fair, before ruining the whole concept with questionable styling options (like putting an ovaries/uterus/vagina combo on the back of the F12) and packing each car with more computing power than a Galaxy class starship in order to keep idiots from crashing into the nearest tree, Ferrari has had some beautiful and amazing road cars in the past. Sure, they don’t look right at all now (just an opinion, don’t send me emails over this) but the 60’s were absolutely golden, the 70’s were pretty OK and the 80’s, well, a couple of models are solid (I use that term for looks of course because no Ferrari ever has ever been able to be referred to as solid mechanics wise). However, in all of the company’s history, one amazing car stands out to me, one that gets frequently and unjustly left in a dark corner and away from the credit and adoration it deserves. Meet the 288 GTO, Ferrari’s weapons of mass destruction for a war that didn’t even start. Different from anything that Ferrari had come up with until then, the 288 was a pioneer, a unique creation: a muscular version of Italian grace and beauty.

What’s the damage?

Do you have to ask? Last May, one of the only 272 made sold at the Villa Erba RM auction for $1.330.000; £825.000 so, yeah…

Why not…something stylish from the 250 line for instance? Or that titan of beauty, a Daytona? Well I still like the 288 more because of its looks, its history and also because it doesn’t have its place in the sun the way it should…also, it does THIS

08.

Ford Mustang Boss 429 (1969)

Why this car?

You’re not gonna call your car “Boss” and then not come up with something amazing, especially with those little 3 number in front of it. Right? Riiiight? Well sort off. Don’t get me wrong, it was still an impressive ride…it just wasn’t all it could be. When it came out in 69 fans were disappointed. Hell, even the guy who came up with it was disappointed – 14 seconds on the quarter mile was not what he had in mind. Ford came up with the Boss 429 in order to homologate the engine for NASCAR racing, not to make the Mustang a Vette killer. Plus, with rev limiter, small carburetor, restrictive exhaust and intake manifold, not to mention smog equipment, the 429 wasn’t exactly free to make good use of all that potential and that’s really what this car is all about: potential. Think about it, a huge engine in a relatively small car; everything had to be upgraded giving it better handling and making it an even broader stepping stone to something truly special. Horsepower can easily be added to the monster Mustang and with looks like this, boy oh boy, what a combo…nowadays the “not good enough” stigma for these cars has gone out the window and completely stock 429’s are devoured by collectors. These are rare and these are expensive. Badass car with a badass name and one hell of an attitude…all you have to do is make it work out a bit, then poke it with a stick and stay out of its way.

What’s the damage?

US – $200.000 to $300.000

UK – n/a

Why not…a Boss 302? Nothing wrong with that, I’d gladly have a Mustang packed garage if I could, Boss 429, Boss 302, Mach 1…but if I could only pick one Mustang – and the Shelby badge wasn’t an option – I’d go for the Mach 1 first (it’s in part one of this List) and for the 429 second. Doesn’t mean I don’t love the 302, I really do! But if money was an issue, a Mach 1 is a wonderful car and it’s not that pricey; if I had millions to spend, I’d go for the top dog and then I’d pump it full of steroids.

09.

JAGUAR X308 XJR (1998-2002)

Why this car?

Very few cars would make me think twice about getting an M5; this one would. Contemporary to the legendary E39, the XJR isn’t as good but it certainly has the charm and the looks to become a serious – borderline irresistible – temptation. Don’t get me wrong, the E39 M5 is one of my favorite cars of all time, but if I could I’d most definitely get an XJR as well. Gorgeous, menacing, a “muscle car in a tuxedo”; you can read all about how amazing this big cat is and how much I love it here.

What’s the damage?

US – $5.000 to $12.000

UK – £2.500 to £6.000 – (The one featured on this article is for sale right now for £2.795)

Why not…

A modern XJ? I actually really like the current XJ generation, has beautiful lines and they’re great machines…but they’re not the X308. It resembles a Jag from the past and still, its lines are smooth and timeless. Let’s remember that it’s been 10 years since its production ceased and isn’t it just aging beautifully? Plus, the XJR is also the cheapest car on this list. Treat it with respect and it’s the bargain of the century.

10.

JAGUAR X100 XKR (2003)

Why this car?

The X100 XKR…this is one of those cars which you just have to see with your own eyes. Its shape is just far too complex to be properly understood and processed by the brain when gazing at pictures; it simply doesn’t allow you to perceive it the way you need to. The XK has to be seen in person to be properly experienced, only then will you pick up on the symphony of perfection that is its shape, the complexity of its proportions. The XK is simple, clean, elegant and with that little extra “R” meaning a 4.2L Supercharged V8 under the hood, it’s quick too (this despite being slightly heavier than the Moon).

What’s the damage?

US – $15.000 to $20.000

UK – £11.000 to £17.000

Why not…

A current XK? Personally I don’t care for the XK range these days; sure they’re good, but I think there’s way too much going on…like they were all handled by a bad tuning company.

11.

Lamborghini Jarama 400GTS (1973-1976)

Why this car?

When you think Lamborghini you think Diablo, Countach…you certainly don’t think Jarama. Thing is, Lamborghini wasn’t always all about mad, “look at how much bigger my rear spoiler is than yours” cars. It also made some pretty discrete (by its standards anyway) rides. Don’t get me wrong I’ve been loving everything about the Diablo since I was a little kid but I have to admit that things like the 400GT and the Jarama have something else special about them. You can read all about what I think of this unusual bull here but suffice to say that I love this V12 work of art because of how unique it is and of course, because of how good it looks. It exudes personality too! In my mind the Jarama comes alive as grumpy old man, one that as soon as you walk up starts to curse his day; “Ugh, you again…have to put up with you $#”% today, great…let’s get it over with, where the hell do you wanna go?”

What’s the damage?

US – Couldn’t find one! But a lil cutie exactly like the one featured here was available for sale in February for $79.000

UK – £53.000 Well, not UK per se, depends on if you’re willing to take a little road trip to scenic neutral Switzerland

Why not…

Another of the many Lamborghini models I love? It’s like I mentioned before, I’m a sucker for Lambos especially the Diablo *cue soft emotional music* when I was little, my sister bought me a 1/18 purple Diablo from Bburago which I still have and love; in fact it was the scale model that kick started my sizable collection. The Diablo is what I think about every time the word supercar pops up. Still, I think in time the Diablo might (and that’s definitely a “might”, not a “will”) have a bit of the issue that the Countach has: it’s a bit too much sometimes…like a crazy aunt you love but are reluctant to accompany in public.

12.

Maserati GranTurismo S (2008)

Why this car?

I mean come on, look at it…can you believe all this beauty in a manmade thing? Damn. Thank goodness for Italian design! The GranTurismo has always been a stunning, gorgeous, unmatchable example of perfection…on the outside. As a driving machine…yeah, not so much. It’s big, heavy, doesn’t handle particularly well, not mind-blowingly fast either. With the S version, Maserati tried to address a few of these issues so the car is stiffer, faster, better balanced. The Ferrari V8 that Maserati borrowed got dialed up to 11 and it just makes one of the best sounds on the planet! It’s as if Thor himself is arriving in his crazy goat chariot in the midst of a symphony of thunder storms. But again, the looks alone would be more than enough to keep me hopelessly in love with it for life; the little “S” is one of those formalities for people who just can’t say no to a little bit extra horsepower and speed…like me. The GranTurismo S is one of those GTs you just want to disappear in, devour miles, tour Europe or something before it breaks down or the hard yet beautifully tailored seats brake your back and render your lower limbs useless.

What’s the damage?

US – $75.000 to $85.000

UK – £55.000 to £75.000

Why not…

A kick ass MC Stradale for instance? Because Maserati blew it in the design department. While the GranTurismo and GranTurismo S are flawless pearls of beauty, the MC looks like it was upgraded by teenagers; exaggerated front, exaggerated back…might be better for aerodynamics and cooling whatnot but no thanks.

13.

Maserati Quattroporte GTS (2008-2009)

Why this car?

Ah yes, the car for people who can make you offers you cannot refuse, ideal for the modern ~~mobster~~ businessman. It’s tough to explain what’s so great about the Quattroporte because its whole appeal is based on an emotional response that can’t quite be defined by words. Despite being a classy ride from the start, the basic Quattroporte didn’t exactly strike fear on the heart of your enemies…the ugly dreary rims, the soft colors, the big chrome grill in the front…I much like what Maserati did with it a few years later when the GTS came out; then they were on to something! They threw a lot of black paint at it (because let’s face it, everything looks better in black), replaced the classic, dignified front grill with a huge open mouth full of big teeth, fitted bigger rims, better brakes, better suspension and gave it more power! Et voilà, magic, perfection. There’s something about these big Italian sedans; the poise, the luxury, the dramatic of these things is something that completely evades the Germans, the French and the British.

What’s the damage?

US – $60.000 to $70.000

UK – Aprox. £30.000

Why not…A first or third generation Quattroporte? Yes. I’ll take both along with this one, thanks. Let’s not discuss the Quattroporte II, not ever.

14.

Maybach 57S Coupe by Xenatec (2010)

Why this car?

I know, I know…but bear with me! Alright, so there’s no trouble in admitting that Maybach was a bust in its revival; there are a number of explanations as to why Maybachs didn’t sell well enough to survive and most of them are pretty easy to accept. The 57 and 62 models were just big ol’ S-Classes, much pricier than the regular Benz flagship but not particularly more luxurious. Plus, they also looked pretty much exactly like the S-Class and handled far worse because they’re the size of humpback whales and also because Mercedes just didn’t give a damn about it; the company insisted that they were meant to be driven by a chauffeur and not the owner (so what the hell, screw Jeeves right?). All these factors just didn’t put enough distance between the Maybach and Mercedes names, so people just rather have a Rolls or a Bentley, much more distinct. The main problem I have with the Maybach revival however is that it was a huge missed opportunity. With a range of 2 models there’s not a lot you can do; why not explore the possibilities of something great? Take the Excelero for instance, that was awesome, why not a Maybach supercar (one not priced at 6 million, but you get the idea)? Why not some super stylish, super luxurious coupes, a few awesome convertibles? Bring back a bit of the 38’ Sphon DS8 Zeppelin Sport Cabriolet spirit; now that was a gorgeous little slice of heaven! Sadly none of this happened. However the people at Xenatec looked at the 57S and thought the exact same thing I did when I first saw it: “you know what? That thing would look good as a coupe” and so they did it. Starting with stock 57S models, they cut, welded, reshaped and hammered away until this gorgeous thing was left, the Maybach Coupe. Now we were on to something!…for about 5 minutes. Xenatec went bust and reportedly only eight 57S Coupes were made and sold, *sigh*.

What’s the damage?

The last one I know of to come up for sale in Dubai, an all black, all gorgeous one with loud red interiors had a price tag of $940.000.

Why not…

Question doesn’t apply, there’s nothing to compare this to.

15.

Mercedes Benz 300SL Gullwing (1954)

Why this car?

Pretty self explanatory. The granddaddy of supercars. A legend of design. A towering icon. Perfect in every single way, even when it’s not breaking for corners…or making the actual corners…or melting your shoes from getting so hot…or leaving you trapped to die (possible burnt to a crisp) in case it flips.

What’s the damage?

US – $400.000 to $1.000.000+

UK – n/a

Why not…

Once again the question doesn’t apply; the Gullwing is unique and it’s simply not possible to consider anything else over it because there is nothing like it, not from its era, not now, not ever.

16.

Mercedes Benz 540 K (1938)

Why this car?

To me this is the most beautiful Mercedes ever made; hell, it might even be the most beautiful car of all time! A unique, irreplaceable work of art that just happens to have an engine and 4 wheels; it heroically survived impossible odds and you can read all about it here.

What’s the damage?

Priceless!

Why not…

It’s like asking “why not any other painting?” when you could take the Mona Lisa home.

17.

Mercedes Benz G55 AMG (2010)

Why this car?

Big, tough as nails military vehicle? Check. Insane V8 powered by AMG witchcraft? Check. The G55 AMG is the only car in the world that looks as good invading a small 3^rd world country as it does sitting outside the Armani boutique on Sunset Boulevard. You can read more about it on a previous post here.

What’s the damage?

US – $70.000 to $100.000 (late models)

UK – Aprox. £90.000

Why not…

An old, original G-Class? Why not a no nonsense green military machine that only feels comfortable in 2 feet of mud while under fire from enemy forces? Well you know I can’t resist AMG insanity…

18.

Mercedes Benz W220 S65 AMG (2005-2006)

Why this car?

Big Benz with a V12 by AMG? Yes please.

What’s the damage?

US – $20.000 to $33.000

UK – £25.000 to £50.000

Why not…A current or previous generation S-Class? They’d certainly be better in quality. Well, because looks matter and I think this was the last one to get the proportions just right. The W221 looks like a bee just stung it all over and the W222 is just pretty much wrong in pretty much every possible way. Like I said before its rear ugliness alone competes with the one of Bentleys and that’s saying something.

19.

Monteverdi Berlinetta (1972-1974)

Why this car?

I have to be honest, I love Monteverdi cars and choosing the Berlinetta is a way for me not to take up half this list with a whole family of Monteverdi models like the 375S, 375L or 375/4 because they’re all amazing to look at and they all embody the holy union that is European style and American muscle. Currently the Berlinetta is my favorite Monteverdi because of how aggressive it looks and also because under the hood there’s (usually) a big, beautiful 7L Hemi V8 with close to 400bhp (hey! Early 70’s numbers, still today that isn’t bad at all) which means the Berlinetta is fast, loud and has a nasty attitude. Despite looking a lot like the 375L, the Berlinetta is actually more closely related to the shorter 375S from which it uses the basis from. Some design features in the Berlinetta are classic Peter Monteverdi recycling; for instance, the tail lights are from the Triumph TR6 while many of the door handles actually came from the Fiat 128…gotta love this guy! No one knows for sure how many Berlinetta models were made; this is not unusual with Monteverdi since the production numbers were never disclosed for their cars, all people have to go on are educated guesses. Some say (little Top Gear flashback moment there) there are about 10 of these but I honestly haven’t the slightest clue of how close or far off from reality that number is. What I do know is that I love this beautiful thing, especially the one featured on this article; it’s loud, it has a big stripe on each side but that’s perfectly alright, just makes it look (at the risk of sounding like a 12 year old) cooler.

Speaking of this particular Berlinetta, there seems to be a chronicle shortage of good Monteverdi pictures, this model being no exception. Thankfully I managed to find these 1 off the regular car pics sites. It belongs to Flickr user Opron who very kindly allowed me to use it so I’d like to say thank you very much and urge everyone to check out his gallery because it’s full of very cool, very diverse rides!

What’s the damage?

If you find one for sale let me know, I’ll sell a few kidneys. That’s right I said a few…don’t ask me questions.

Why not…

The Palm Beach? (The convertible version of the Berlinetta). Well there’s only one of those and plus, I prefer hardtop coupes over convertibles.

20.

Porsche 930 Turbo (1975-1989)

Why this car?

Air cooled Porsches…damn…TURBO air cooled Porsches: double damn! Between 75 and 89 the company made its most iconic Turbo model, the 930, a car that’s among the top contenders for the coveted “most likely to kill its own driver” award. Making sure an early 911 stays inside the white lines is already plenty of hard work; adding a Turbo which after a huge lag unexpectedly provides a well placed kick in the behind, well…it’s not hard to see how this can make for a very stylish coffin. Still, it’s a gorgeous looking thing and with those big sexy rear spoilers being a thing of the past for Porsche these days…

What’s the damage?

US – $35.000 to $90.000

UK – £35.000 to £60.000

Why not…

A modern Turbo? Not stylish enough.

Images used:

DBS – http://www.autowp.ru/aston_martin/dbs/car45326/pictures/

Supersports – http://www.bentleygoldcoast.com/2011-bentley-continental-supersports-4-seat-configuration-c-1088.htm?make=BENTLEY&model=CONTINENTAL%20SUPERSPORTS&

Chevelle SS – Unknown/Archive

Charger – Unknown/Archive

Vega II – http://www.automotonews.cz/2012/03/14/vrati-se-znacka-facel/

http://www.autoweek.nl/forum/read.php?14,4766509