Want | 1985 Mercedes Wagon w/ Ronal wheels

I Want | 1972 BMW 3.0 CSiL

1972 BMW 3.0 CSiL

Want | 1974 Nissan Datsun 260Z

As you all know from prior posts, I am one of the biggest classic car fans and from time to time I love to showcase the infatuations that climb my list of dream status.  What I have today is not just any 1974 Datsun 260Z, this is completely decked out Z that boasts a SR20DET Nissan 4-cylinder engine that is force-fed by a GT3040 ball bearing turbo, thus producing approximately 375hp.  If this doesn't blow your mind, I dont know what will.  Take a look at this beauty!

Obsession | Mini Cooper John Cooper Works (JCW)

Mini Cooper John Cooper Works

I doubt that I have to explain to many of you what the initials JC in JCW stands for, especially if I were to add in, the word MINI. John Cooper (1923 -2000) was renowned throughout the world of motor sport, and to the little British car which still bears his name, he was the ultimate master of performance.

But to truly appreciate the man and what he achieved, one has to understand the story behind the man.

John's father Charles Cooper ran a small mechanical workshop in Surbiton, Surrey. After service in the Royal Air force during World War 2, he joined his father there making single seat race cars for privateers.

Together they formed a company in 1948 specifically to design and build race cars, and were so successful, that by the early 50's names like Jack Brabham, Stirling Moss, Maurice Trintignant, and Bruce McLaren were to be seen behind the wheels of Cooper products.

Much of their success in racing came from the fine handling of their cars. Although most race cars at the time were powered from the front, the first Cooper built cars were propelled by motorcycle engines. Hence, they positioned the engines in the rear.

Perhaps unbeknownst to them at the time, they were the forerunners of what we now know as open wheel rear-engined Formula One cars. In fact, Cooper later remarked, "We certainly had no feeling that we were creating some scientific breakthrough...We put the engine at the rear...because it was the practical thing to do".

Much of Cooper's success came from what I like to think of as, "Thinking outside the box", and it is that which brings us to the story of the MINI Cooper.

John Cooper's association with the MINI came through his friendship with Alex Issigonis, the designer of the original MINI. Coming from a race and rally background, John quickly saw the potential that the MINI could have in competition use.

The first MINI Cooper was launched in 1961, with the acclaimed Cooper S coming two years later.

Obsession | 1969 Fiat 500

1969 Fiat 500

There’s no use in denying it but I’m quite the nostalgic, as you may already have surmised. If you frequent my blog on occasions, you know I am a sucker for classic cars. Today gave way for yet another dive into days gone by. The Fiat 500 was marketed as a cheap and practical town car. Measuring only 10ft long, and powered by a tiny 479cc two-cylinder engine, air-cooled engine, the 500 redefined the term "small car" and is considered one of the first city cars. (wiki)

Obsession | Steve McQueen's Jaguar XK-SS

1957 Jaguar XK-SS

Jaguar was a dominant force in racing during the 1950s. Ferrari was already a major player, and on the right day, Aston Martin and Maserati got their licks in. Porsche's star was rising, too, but it was Coventry's fast, dependable, and downright beautiful XK-120Ms, C-Types, and D-Types that commanded so many sports car and endurance races. Jaguars won the 24 Hours of Le Mans five times that decade, notching the hat trick in 1955, 1956, and 1957, plus countless other professional and amateur victories in Europe and the United States.

McQueen added his imprint to the 713. He repainted the exterior a more discreet British Racing Green. Tony Nancy restitched the interior in black leather. Von Dutch fabricated a metal glove-box door to cover the previously open storage space in the dash, purportedly to keep McQueen's shades from flying out of the cubby while he was giving the Jag a thrash. McQueen affectionately nicknamed it the Green Rat.

Obsession | Citroen 2CV

The Citroen 2CV really appeals to a certain audience.  I just happen to be that audience.  I fell in love with the 2CV when I was in Paris, and just couldn't get enough.  To the general audience, Im sure you all think this is a heap of junk, just wait till I tell you a little more about the 2CV. 

The heap of junk you see above is conceivably France's most amazing contribution to the automobile industry.  Conceived during a much simpler time in life where demands for safety and speed were not at the forefront of consumer minds, the 2CV reigned supreme.  And I've come to understand why.  Citroen's minimalistic approach in designing the 2CV created a low cost, simple, versatile, reliabile, vehicle capable of off-road driving. For this it had a light, easily serviceable engine, extremely soft long travel suspension (with adjustable ride height), high clearance, and for oversized loads a car-wide canvas sunroof. Unfortunately, the 2CV's 42 years of production has come to an end, and Citroen has succumbed to consumer demand for speed and safety, areas in which this ancient design had fallen significantly behind.   

While it may be the butt of many a joke, the 2CV really takes the cake and climbs the ladder of cars I really want.

*Pictured above is actually a special edition Citroen 2CV designed by Hermes.  Sorry, the accoutrements you see do not come come with the car.  

Obsession | Land Rover Defender 110

I thought this would be fitting for a snowy day like the one we got here in NY.  This beast of a machine (seen above) comes to us from across the waters.  This 1993 Defender 110 is fully loaded with a list of aftermarket options and will get anyone, anywhere, anytime.  Bottom line, every gentleman should have one.  Im just waiting for a garage big enough to store this (I wish). Someday!

Obssesion | 1971 BMW 2002 tii

1971 BMW 2002 tii

1968. Richard Nixon was elected president. Fighting raged in Vietnam with no end in sight. America watched "Hawaii Five-O," "Mayberry RFD," and "Here's Lucy" on an ever increasing number of color television sets. Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. were assassinated. "Oliver" won the Oscar for Best Picture. Otis Redding was sittin' on the dock of the bay. And BMW introduced the 2002 in the United States.

This fine specimen is a 1971 BMW 2002 tii that has been fully rehauled and redressed. This is a truely handsome car perfect for a gentlemen to sport.

This has been on my holiday wish list for some time now. However, I've come to the realization that, living in NYC, one car is more than plenty. One day, this beauty will sit in my garage.