Automotive

Like Speed Dating, don't ask too many questions, don't think too much, you can always revise your thoughts based on intuition later, when you've had time to digest it.

Don't explain, don't justify (again, can do that later) just list.

What are your 10 all time great cars? No restrictions, no limitations, no conditions. (can be less than 10, but no more)

Mine, in no particular order

1. Lamborghini Countach

2. Lamborghini Miura

3. BMW E38 740iL

4. Ferrari Testarossa (1980's version)

5. Ferrari 275GTB/4 long nose

6. Mercedes Benz S65 (pre-2006)

7. Alfa BAT (three considered as 1) (anyone know if these are still at the Blackhawk museum in Danville, CA?)

8. Alfa Navajo

9. Bugatti Atlanta/Atlantique

10. Talbot Lago

would include Alfa Carabo but limited to 10, and the Carabo has a descendent in the Countach.

Whether making it to production is more important or being the inspiration concept car is more important, would require more contemplation than is allowed in this speed listing session.

If the Jaguar XJ220 made it to production with original proposed 12 cylinder engine...

Could love to see other's lists in round 1a...and the explanations and justifications in round 1b.

;-)

I really like to many cars, 1-10 in no order.

1. 1957 Fuel Injected Corvette, first year for fuel injection

2.  1963 Split window Corvette with AC, first year for AC

3.  BMW 850Ci

4.  Jaguar XKE 1970

5.  BMW M6

6.  Porsche Carrera 1998

7.  512BB

8.  1967 big block Corvette

9.  Mercedes 300SL gullwing

10. Ferrari Dino

Hi, Jerry,

Ah, the Boxer...I can't believe I forgot that one (see? "speed listing" opens up all sorts of questions...)

I love the Boxer, and it played a very special place in my fantasies during my formative years, along with the Countach (remember the fantasy matchups/ultimate smackdowns? Miura vs Daytona; Boxer vs Countach; Rocky Johnson vs. Pat Patterson; Mark Levinson vs. Threshold; ARC vs MacIntosh; Patek vs Vacheron...)

I was always just a little ambivalent which body design I ultimately liked better - the Boxer (365 and 512) or the 3xx (308/328/348/355) "poor man's Ferrari" (as supercars, there was no question, of course)

Thanks, this is why I wanted to start this exercise...

Interesting list.

TM

all the cars after that started to put on weight.

That you mentioned Crash Testing. I remember following one at Calder Park (well, it roaring came past me and I started watching it's taillights...) and as it exited the Speedway back onto the main road circuit, the rear-end gave a huge lurch, sending the car spinning, coming to rest about 5cm from the concrete barriers...Lucky guy. He didn't go out again.

Whether it was just due to weight transfer from him lifting his foot, I still think it wasn't helped by those cars having the engine positioned (stupidly, in my opinion) so far above the gearbox/transaxle.

 

I should not laugh as I managed to spin a Murcielago Roadster at Les Combes, Tyres were not warm enough, got the car sideways and believed it would catch grip again.
I did not lift off and i did not get more grip. Still no damage and now I warm my tyres...

10.  AMG Hammer
9.  Shelby Cobra
8.  Delorean
7. Lambo Contach
6. Porsche CGT
5.  Ferrari F40
4.   Porsche 959
3.  Lambo Muira
2.  Ferrari 512BB
1.   Ferrari 288 GTO

Every car on your list are cars I would enjoy owning. To a large degree, such a list is highly personal and subject to our time and experience and exposure during our "formative" years.

I'd love to see a comparo at the end of which cars appear most across (most) everyone's list.

And then, there's Elliot...

;-)

...fingers slipped. That's the problem with 'speed listing' - looked down and there were twenty! -

Talbot-Lago T150-C (Chassis 90019)

Dino Ferrari

Ferrari GTO 250 SWB ‘California’

Jaguar XKE “Series 1.5”

Jaguar XK 120 DHC

Aston Martin DB4 Series 2

The Embricos Bentley Chassis B-27-LE

Ferrari 550 Maranello

Mercedes 300 SL “Gullwing”

Lamborghini Miura

Maserati 3500 GT

Lancia Aurelia Coupe

Bugatti Type 57SC

Porsche 356 Speedster

AC Cobra 427

BMW 507

Shelby Mustang GT500

1929 4.5 litre Bentley ‘Blower’

Morgan Plus8

De Tomaso Pantera

 

Cheers,

pplater.

Hi PPlater (lol! P Plater, or PP later? I always wondered, glad to have that cleared up!)

The Pantera and Maseratic 3500GT (esp the Shah of Iran one off) are on my list of favorites.

Surprised the MB 300SL gull wing isn't on more lists

...that the gullwing is being ignored, but in fairness there are just s-o-o-o-o-o  many magnificent cars in the pantheon that any list, no matter how long, will overlook some deserving candidates.

What is more surprising perhaps is that the BMW E38 740iL has made two of these lists already (including yours). Given the exotica cited on these lists, that is astounding. From the perspective of a current owner, it is a very gratifying nomination (wanna swap for that Duality?), if a little mystifying. Perhaps you can give us your perspective in due course: why that one???

 

Cheers,

pplater.

No message body

. . . nothing else compares . . . cordially, Art

Cheers Luc

. . . actually, I wanted to list the RS, but I've never seen one in person . . . cordially, Art

is a loud and "boyracerish" statement. I was not sure if you would prefer it
Cheers
Luc

1. Miura Jota
2. Daytona
3. P4
4. 356 speedster
5. Facel Vega coupe II GT
6. Ferrari Lusso
7. Lancia Stratos
8. Aston Martin DB5
9. 250 SWB
10.Countach

Cheers
Luc

Tesla?

Ferrari?

Rover????  ;-)

 

Cheers,

pplater.

I must say the Rover P4 had a lot of charm, thanks for reminding me that car. The Tesla disqualifies in being only a rebodied Elise with another propulsion mode, on top they managed to make a fool of themselves by trying to make publicity on the back of Fisker, I wish them good luck and I hope they learn to play it clean. Chers Luc

This message has been edited by luc00 on 2009-03-08 04:39:06

1. 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS Droptop

2. 1965 Aston Martin DB5

3. 1966 Ford Mustang convertible

4. Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera

5. 1961 Ferrari GT California Spyder

6. Audi RS8

7. Aston Martin DBS Volante

8. Fisker Latigo CS

9. Bugatti Veyron Sang Noir

10.  Brabus Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR

I can't fully explain why I love them, so I'll let the immortal words of The Who sum up why these cars make my list:

"Got a feeling inside (Can't explain),
It's a certain kind (Can't explain),
I feel hot and cold (Can't explain),
Yeah, down in my soul, yeah (Can't explain)!"

Isn't that how a great car (or great watch) should make you feel?

Cheers,

Daos

Just sad about Ferrari reusing the name Cheers Luc

This business of recycling the names of iconic models for new cars is troubling for the most part.  The newer cars are saddled with so much emotional baggage already -- so much to live up to -- before anyone even considers them on their own merits, be they better or worse than their namesakes.  

Also agree with you on the Lusso -- a great beauty that still stands as one of Pininfarina's best designs IMO.  If we could've had 11 cars on our list that might've made mine.

Cheers,

Daos

Hi,

Some of the more egregious examples are really heart breaking (Talbot example Luc gave, for example, or Jules Jurgensen in watches)

The severity of the crime is multiplied when the decision is made for pure commercial, pecuniary reasons and less for sincere hommage.

I also find the lemming mentality disturbing, with all the zombie mobiles like the Charger, Camaro, and Miura.

Let the great ones rest in peace. These aren't new MY evolutions; they are sacrilege. (Being deliberately overharsh, but come on, is there no real imagination and fresh creativity left?!?)

The problem is I have not driven many of these and I am therefore responding to design and reputation more than anything else. Without looking at anyone else’s responses, here are my choices:

Morris Mini (the original Issigonis design) and specifically the Cooper S.

McLaren F1

Ferrari Dino

Ferrari 250 GT California

Lamborghini Murcielago

Aston Martin DB5

BMW M3

Citroen DS

Lotus Elan

Porsche 911 RS

Karman Ghia (convertible)

Sunbeam Tiger

Daimler Dart

the PSA group was thinking about reviving the Talbot name as an entry brand, What a typical example of killing a brand in two acts: first of all they rename the Chrysler Simca into Talbot and now the bean counters recycle it again because it does not mean anything to them. This is why I hate reusing old names, it erases the past and the cars cant be as good as the originals Testarossa, California... only to name those two

This message has been edited by luc00 on 2009-03-08 07:26:55

in positively no assemblance of order:

1. Chevrolet Vega

2. Ford Pinto

3. AMC Pacer

4. VW The Thing

5. Yugo Koral

6. Trabant P-601

7. Renault Dauphine

8. Chrysler K-car (any)

9. The Edsel

and last but certainly not least.....drumroll please.........

10. AMC Gremlin

cheers,

elliot

. . . not to mention the Nash Rambler . . . cordially, Art