Urban Dream Cars Blog

1961 Ferrari 250 GT Spyder

2011-01-26T15:04:00.000-08:00

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Search as I might, I have never found any Ferrari design that did not set my heart racing. Beginning from their first cars in 1947, to the newly released FF,2+2 V12 4 Wheel drive, Ferrari, freed from the need to produce an auto at an affordable price, has pushed the boundaries of speed and handling. Ferrari’s new California Gran Turismo with it’s mid-front 8-cylinder engine: has a Max speed of 193 mph, hit 62mph in under 4 seconds.

Throughout their history, each of the Ferrari models both road cars as well as the cars they sent into competition, have made use of what was at that time, the “State of the art technology.” This willingness to utilize the “Latest and Best” has kept them on top.

While I marvel at the performance data of their newest offerings, I still have a great fondness for their classic cars of the 60s.

One such example is the Ferrari 250, a sports car built by Ferrari begaining in 1953. The car was in production till 1964 and was the most successful of their early line-up being replaced by the 275 and later the 330.

One think that is clear, obviously I’m not the only one to find these vintage models so desirable. RM Auctions joined with Sotheby’s to sell a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder, and set a new world record for the most expensive auto ever to be sold at auction. The fact that the car was at one time owned by the actor,James Coburn (In Like Flint), could have had a slight “Bump-up” from its pedigree, but the staggering final bid of $10,894,400 defines this as one of the most beautiful, desirable vehicles ever built.

Speaking of which, remember the Ferrari California in Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Well the House used in the movie is located in Highland Park, Illinois. This house does in fact have that garage cantilevered over the ravine from which the car crashes; well that house is up for sale.
The asking price for the home is 1.6 million, clearly that house will sell for less than the value of The Ferrari 250 GT California, that in movie legend was destroyed as the result of an ill-conceived attempt to "Reverse-out" the miles racked up after 3 teens day on the town.

Porsche Caymen R

2010-12-02T14:59:00.000-08:00

Less is more

When I opened and email from Porsche today and read through their information promoting their new Caymen R. the first thought that popped in my mind was the Architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. While he did not coin the term he used it to describe his aesthetic concept of stripping a design, be it a building or a chair, to it’s most basic, essential elements, believing that there was beauty and power in extreme simplicity. To turn the quote around, “That adding more that what was necessary, created a design of Less value.
The irony is that Mies van der Rohe buildings were not inexpensive to build. In fact some of the “Simplicity” raised, rather than lowered the cost.

Read Porsche’s outline of the wonders of their new Cayman R, and you will see some common rhetoric with Minimalist design that began in Germany while Mies was working alongside Walter Gropius and Le Corbusier.
Cayman R

When developing the Cayman R, one thing was clear: It should be uncompromising, sharper and more radical than before. This was to be achieved through a consistent mid-engine concept combined with rigorous weight reduction and enhanced power output. The result: No radio. No air conditioning system. No cupholders. Instead: 19-inch lightweight alloy wheels. Sports bucket seats. And 330 hp. In short: 121 lbs. (55 kg) lighter and 10 hp more powerful than the Cayman S.

I understand that in any sports car weight is the enemy. Well to be more exact, the greater the weight the more horsepower needed to reach the top-speeds and 0-60 times that cause excitement for the owner. So I get the idea of taking steps to cut weight. That said I feel strange about paying Porsche thousands of dollars extra money to take-out equipment that they charged me to include in the car originally. It's a little like charging me $2 more for the Cheeseburger, than charging me an extra $1 to remove the cheese.

That said there is no doubt that it is a HOT car, and I'll bet fun to drive.

Urban Auto Insurance Agency

2010-11-30T14:34:00.000-08:00

Chicago Car Insurance Claims increase, are they part of a Worldwide Trend?

2010-08-07T11:12:00.000-07:00

It is clear that America is not the only place where a rising number of law suits are having an impact on auto Insurance rates. In these Hard financial times, more people are under great financial pressure, This can often lead people to take actions that their conscience would not permit in less difficult times. It is interesting to see that Chicago, nor Illinois is not alone in this matter, but that is a part of a worldwide trend....

» Read "Chicago Car Insurance Claims increase, are they part of a Worldwide Trend?"...

Is my son insured to drive my Ferrari

2010-01-18T11:03:00.000-08:00

Is true Christmas is the season of giving, and is also true that during this season your children deserves special attention, but still... This is what might happen when you borrow your Ferrari to your child. And we have two examples to make you think twice.

The first accident happened in Newport Beach, CA on Christmas Eve. The father (in his 90’s) gave his son (in his 70’s) a brand new Ferrari F430. The grandson was driving the car with his cousin in the passenger seat when the car lost control and crossed over onto oncoming traffic. The Ferrari crashed head on into a tow truck. The passenger was killed instantly, the driver was in critical condition.
The other accident happened in Romania and involved a Ferrari F430 Spider. The kid driving the car lost control and crashed into an oncoming car. He was unhurt.

Why dads shouldn't borrow their Ferrari to sons originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 28 December 2009 09:52 EST.

Woodard Dream Cruise 2009
Ferrari Enzo
Dream Cars (Carrera GT)
Will 2013 look like this for Porsche?
BMW 850i and 850CSi 1989-1999

White Gold !

2010-01-11T15:37:00.000-08:00

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A Mercedes has always been a status symbol, associated with wealth, power and a sense of class. The SLR McLaren is the flagship of the Mercedes line of cars. Mercedes-Benz has gone on record stating that they would limit the production to 3500 SLRs over a span of 7 years. The idea is to keep a level annual production of 500 cars. I understand that qualifies as a "limited- Production auto, but with the car's base price at $495,000, and the realization that we are in a World-Wide recession, that seems like a sufficient quality.

The more a car weighs, the greater the power needed to move the auto forward. The idea is to join a powerful engine with a lightweight body, to ubtain the greatest BHP to Weight ratio. The SLR uses carbon fibre for its entire body construction in an attempt to keep the weight to 3,898lbs.
With 600 + Horse-power, the SLR has proven can achieve a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) under the claimed 3.7 seconds and climb to a top speed of 334 km/h (208 mph). If fact Car and Driver achieved a quarter-mile time of 11.6 seconds.

I think most people would find the half a million dollar SLR qualified as a "Status-Symbol" with-out any customizing; but what do you do if you need to turn the status control up to eleven?

Build the car out of White Gold -

This Mercedes Benz,SLR is owned by an Abu Dhabi oil billionaire.
Featuring the newly developed V10 quad turbo with
1,600 horsepower and 2800nm of torque, it does
0-100km/h (62.1mph) in less than 2 secs, or 1/4 mile
in 6.89 secs, running on biofuel.

One could ask why an Oil Sheik is searching for alternative fuels, You could also use this car as an example proving that cars, yes even "Fast Cars" can run on just fine without the use of gasoline.

Just like in the Wild-West there was always a man with a "Faster-draw", well I guess there is alway some nut willing to spend more money on a car.

Corvette Karma

2009-12-08T15:16:00.001-08:00

Imagine your 29 years old. You make plans with friends to meet up at a favorite bar. You get dressed, and climb into your 5 year old Corvette, turn the key and revel and the throaty-roar as you pull of on your way for a night on the town.
Young and single, you park the car, head inside, maybe with a pen in your pocket, just incase your lucky enough to find a woman willing to hand-over her phone number.

Life is great, or at least it is till you go outside a find your car is gone. That pen you were hoping would record the number of some "Future girlfriend"; instead is used to mark down a Police report number. You end up catching a ride home from a friend.

This is what happened to Chance Mayfield; sad as the story is, as an Insurance Agent, I have the duty to tell you this is not all that uncommon. In fact a car is stolen every 28.8 seconds, that's more than 1 million cars stolen in an average year in the U.S.—.No what makes this story so unusual is that the theft took place in 1970 and now 39 years later received a call, on his 68th birthday, no less, saying his car has been found. I'm sure that Mr. Mayfield was happy to get the call and see his old car. Imagine his further surprise, and stroke of good luck when he found out his old car had been completely restored.

It seems a collector who recently bought the 1965 Corvette for $65,000; stopped by the Arizona department of motor vehicles for inspection and to get plates; only to find after a routine serial number check, that the Hot Car he had purchased was literally a "Hot Car". I can only assume that the man, that laid-out $65,000 for the auto; believing he had legal title, had his day-in-court with business that sold him the car.

In the end the Scottsdale, police returned the 65 Vette back to Mr. Mayfield.

I would like to think they attached a Happy Birthday card.

Will 2013 look like this for Porsche?

2009-12-04T14:01:00.000-08:00

Posted on 12.4.2009 16:00 by Terence Keon

Forward thinking automotive designers are getting younger and younger these days. At age twelve we were exploring the world of middle school, girls suddenly became less icky and the homework started piling on. However there is one such 12 year old who has put down the PlayStation controller long enough to come up with a few rendering of what Porsche’s lineup of high performance sports cars will look like in 2013.

What is so amazing is that these renderings look good enough to have come from a drafting table in Stuttgart. For the 2013-2014 model year, according to our up and coming designer, the 911 will be a few inches longer thanks to a new nose inspired by the GT3 race cars with larger air intakes and a more pronounced smile. Porsche’s latest entry level model will be a Spyder based on the rebirth of the classic 356. A few other drawings reveal a future 928 that is in fact a two door Panamera coupe and the Roxster that as far as we know won’t go into production. However these are some really good renderings that we feel will be right in line if not spot on as to what the German sports car builders will be rolling off the assembly lines a few years from now.

Woodard Dream Cruise 2009

2009-08-18T14:06:00.000-07:00

Turn on the news or watch a car commercial, and all you seem to hear is about "Cash for Clunkers." Well over the weekend, centered in Birmingham, Michigan, the streets were filled with old cars, but none were "Clunkers"

http://www.woodwarddreamcruise.com/
Detroit has always been the home of the American Auto industry, and the annual Dream Cruise is the Mecca of the classic car world. Not only does this event feature the best examples of classic American cars; It also does so it a particularly American fashion. This is not a show where priceless cars sit behind red-velvet-ropes, while their aloof owner's sip Champagne from
Waterford Crystal goblets, while waiting for the "Workers" to load the autos back into the trucks that brought them. No, the Woodward Dream Cruise is about driving the cars in an unscripted parade. It is part car show, part "Tail-Gate party.

If the film "American Graffiti" was about the tail-end of the Saturday night cruising culture, then this is the event for those that refuse to let those day die.

To think of this event as a celebration of "Old Cars" is to miss at least half of the true reason for the event. this is not just about cars, it is a part of Americana. It is about our youth, both individually, and as a society. It is about the power of the engines; but also the power of the US.

Nowhere is that more true than in Detroit. Has NASA got us to the moon; but the astronauts, were driving Mustangs and GTOs.

In 1969, Made in Japan, was not something anyone wanted stamped on the back of their car. Detroit muscle was the only way to go! They were making cars that people "Wanted," today they are fighting to make cars that people will think are a practical alternitive to a Toyota or Honda.

After spending a few hours wondering around Woodward, I can't help but ask if Deroit will ever get back to making cars that people truely desire, or has that role been left to only $100,000.00 + Super-Cars?

The SuperBird was a car that was put into production just to please NASCAR.

If you were going to put a car onto the track, you had to actually have a production car available to the public. In 1970, NASCAR raised the production requirement to one car for every 2 Manufacturer's dealers in the United States; this required Plymouth, to build 1,920 Superbirds.

1970 would be its only production year.
The Superbirds came fitted with the 426 Hemi engine, the 440 Super Commando with a single 4-barrel carburetor, or the 440 Super Commando Six Barrel with three two-barrel carburetors. Only 135 models had the 426 Hemi under the hood.

The 1958 Edsel came in two sizes - big and bigger!

230 Miles per Gallon?

2009-08-11T14:54:00.000-07:00

General Motors CEO Fritz Henderson announced that GM was going forward on the Volt and that they are going to be advertising the car with a MPG of 230.
Yes that's right I said 230!
Personally, I own two cars, neither of which gets 23 miles to a Gallon; so excuse my exclamation point after the number 230. Truth be told, that number is in large part based on combined electric only driving and charge sustaining mode with the engine running. We are all use to advertisements saying "Your mileage may vary", but usually that variation is just a few miles. Because this vehicle is designed to run principally on electric power stored in batteries charged from your home current; GM is free to pick almost any number they want.
The EPA had to determine a method to calculate fuel economy standard for extended-range EVs. The difficulty is trying to get an average that combines both time the car is running on stored battery power as well as burning fuel. Based on the EPA's new guidlines, the Volt will have a composite urban fuel economy rating of 230 mpg! This figure is reach because while running on the electric, the Volt will consume 25 kW/hours per 100 miles. That allows GM to claim that the Volt is the first car ever to get a triple digit fuel economy rating.

Wow, that makes the Toyota Prius look like a Hummer.

Dracula's Ride

2009-07-21T11:11:00.000-07:00

There are cars that are designed to be comfortable. Spacious, well insulated; they surround you in a world all your own. There are cars that exist to give the driver the illusion they are behind the joystick of an F18 fighter, as you are pinned against the seat with a hart-stopping G Force.

There are cars that seem to have been created just to say to the world " I've made it."

But then there those special few that hark back to your childhood fantasies before you were necessarily aware of what cars cost; they were cars of Television or the movies, the cars that Super heroes drove. These were famous, "One-of-a-kind autos where the driver was better known even than the car. These were the cars that were in our Hot-Wheel collection when we were nine years old; and as my wife reminds me, men seldom really grow up, or grow past that nine year stage especially when it comes to cars.

Buy the Black Beauty and you become the Green Hornet. I doubt there are more than a handful of men that have bought an Aston Martin that did not ask for a martini "Shaken- not stirred. While any adult male would recognize the impracticality of trying to make the daily commute to your office in the Batmobile; given the opportunity, it would be a difficult car to turn down.

The Munsters TV show was responsible for producing not one, but two amazing vehicles. The Coach, a cross between a model T, an 18th century funeral coach, and a full out dragster - This was best discribed as the "Family Car". The car show here was GrandPa's personal toy for when he wanted to "Fly by" on four wheels rather than as a bat. This was yet one more of the cars to come out of Barris along with the Coach.

I have to admit, even we would have a tricky time getting Herman SR-22 insurance on this baby.

2009 Ferrari 599 California

2009-07-15T11:24:00.000-07:00

Ferrari had built it’s reputation building autos for the racetrack. As any designer of racecars will tell you, weight is your enemy. The idea is to build cars that are light but stiff. The lighter the car; the greater the ratio of horsepower to weight. But if the car is going to remain “True” through the curves, the body needs substantial rigidity.

The story goes that in the 1950s when the West Coast Ferrari distributor, Johnny von Neumann, asked the designers at Ferrari to build a special Ferrari convertible for America, Enzo was at first reluctant. In fact he was quoted as saying,
"Convertibles are for playboys. Hardtops are for serious drivers."

Enzo Ferrari realized that any convertible is inherently less rigid, because of the removal of the hard top. What might surprise many, is that in an attempt to deal with the “Missing roof structure” a builder must strengthen various part of the body, resulting in convertibles actually out weighing their Hard top sibling.

While Ferrari might have had some reluctance to tamper with her hardtop designs; he was more reluctant to miss out on a new revenue source. Ferrari built von Neumann his convertible for the American market and called it the "California" since Enzo seemed convinced California was loaded with movie stars and wealthy playboys.

The New for 2009 599 is an attempt to create a new Spider harking back to the original California. At the risk of being called a “Playboy” mark me down as an admirer.

California Specifications

Engine Type = 4,300 cc /V8
Displacement cu in (cc) 262.4 cu in. 4300.7 cc.
32 valves. 4 valves per cylinder.
Horsepower 460.00 BHP (338.6 KW) @ 7500.00 RPM
HP/Liter 107.0 BHP / Liter
Transmission = 7-speed dual clutch/ Semi-Automatic

Performance
Speed 0 to 100 km/h less than 4.0 seconds
Base Price: 2009 Ferrari 599 California –
Rumored to be just under $200,000

I assume these will fly-off the showroom floors, after all, It's only the worst ressesion since the great depression.

Larry writes for Urban Insurance Agency
If you have a question, please contact us at 1-800-680-0707.

CAMPAGNA MOTORS T-Rex

2009-07-06T14:49:00.000-07:00

Download theT-REX Brochure (pdf)
Retail price (M.S.R.P.) T-REX 1400R
$49,995.00

TRANSPORT* $1,000.00
OPTIONS
CARBON KIT $999.00 SOFT COVER $499 SUITCASES BLACK (41 L) $1,199.00 or (52L) $1,399.00
CHROME KIT $3,499.00 TALL KIT $699.00 WIND DEFLECTOR $299.00

CAMPAGNA MOTORS is a young Canadian company that design, manufactures and distributes 3-wheel vehicles. Our mission is to create and provide vehicle that are safe, fun, stylish and perfomant. Both the T-REX and the V-13R were designed by those principles.The T-REX is specifically oriented towards the race car / sports car fan; with performances often surpassing those of supercars that cost multiples of the T-REX. Powered by an Inline four cylinder 1400cc engine designed by Kawasaki and producing over 200 hp, the T-REX will get your attention on the road.
On the other side of the spectrum, the V13R, with its hot-rod styling and relaxed driving position; powered by the Harley-Davidson® Liquid-cooled Revolution® 60° V-Twin engine’s will let you cruise on the boulevard or on the highway with style. Its soul inspiring sound and acceleration will paint a smile on your face for miles and miles. Designed as Hot Rod with sex appeal, the V-13R is a true head-turner.
The two vehicles share some common denominators, fun, style and performance. After several years of development and extensive market feedback, the cofounders of this innovative Canadian company (André Morissette - President and David Neault - Vice-President) have translated their love for recreational vehicles into three-wheel machines that are as exciting to ride and easy to handle as they are affordable to own. Their first model is the road savvy V-13R.

Ferrari party at Palwaukee airport

2009-06-09T10:57:00.001-07:00

Alan Craine and Laura C. Dantuma attending the Ferrari party at Palwaukee airport

2010 Ford Shelby GT500

2009-01-15T08:26:00.000-08:00

The new GT500 is the most powerful factory production Mustang ever.
By SAM ABUELSAMID

When Ford introduced the new 2010 Mustang at the LA Auto Show in November, marketing boss Jim Farley promised the next chapter in the Mustang story would be revealed at the Detroit Auto Show in January. Well that time has arrived and to anyone who has been following the Mustang pattern over the last several years, it should come as no surprise that it's the Shelby GT500. Just like the last iteration, the new GT500 is the most powerful factory production Mustang ever.Like the more prosaic Mustangs, the GT500 is mechanically an evolution of the older model. Just as Ford used the current-gen Bullitt model as the starting point for the 2010 Mustang GT, the lessons learned from developing the limited edition GT500 KR fed directly into the latest Shelby-badged variant. Output of the supercharged 5.4L V8 has now been cranked up to 540 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque, and the handling is claimed to be better than before.

Like the last GT500, this one gets more aggressive styling, particularly in the nose, and reprises many of the same detail elements. The horizontally mirrored trapezoidal shape of the grille in the upper and lower front fascia is meant to echo the oval shape of the Shelby Cobras of the '60s. The upper grille is tilted forward at a steeper angle than the GT and the grille surround is separated entirely from the hood. The leading edge of the hood on other Mustangs forms the upper frame of the grille, while the new GT500 has an extra bit of bodywork there.The hood of the GT500 still has a functional air extractor allowing some of the massive heat generated by the blown V8 to escape. The power dome of the V6 and GT is supplanted by a smoother bulge that now encompasses most of the hood. The driving lamps stay in the lower fascia reprising the last edition and leaving the grille area open for air flow.Careful observers will note that the snake badge has moved from the right to the left side of the grille (when viewed from the front). This has nothing to do with the blowing of political winds, but is actually functional. Like the GT, the GT500 now has a cold air intake that sits directly behind the snake's former residence.

60 Seconds of Fun

2009-01-15T08:14:00.000-08:00

You have to love a movie that combines a custom Shelby GT500 named Eleanor with Angelina Jolie. Ok, so no one is going to confuse "Gone in 60 Seconds" with Masterpiece Theater, but there are times when want a break from Whole Roasted Squab Breast with Birch, Black Trumpet Mushrooms & Devil’s Club, and just want pizza and a beer.

From it's "staring role" in Bullet, to it's cameo in Bond, the Mustang has had a long history on the Silver Screen. Shelby's Mustang not only saved Ford back in 64, but he created an Icon that became a part of the American culture and a symbol of Detroit's magic in the 60s.Since the first one rolled out on April 17, 1964, at the New York World's Fair the Mustang has been the great American sports car. True the corvette held the title as the "Top of the line" sports car; but the Mustang offered something the Corvette could not- affordability. The basic model price was $2,368. Within a year, Ford had sold 417,000 models.

The car was so successful that it created a subset of autos called "Pony Cars and helped lead the way to the Muscle Car era.

Help for the Big 3 Auto makers?

2008-11-18T10:06:00.000-08:00

Knight Ridder/Tribune
11/18/2008 9:28 AM ET
House and Senate Democrats unveiled competing versions Monday of a plan to start funneling $25 billion to U.S. automakers before the end of the year, but lawmakers from both parties and the Bush administration withheld support, demanding tough conditions as part of any rescue.

While some of us are directly effected by the auto industry, others may only feel it as things trickle down. Regardless, we all have an interest in seeing the domestic auto industry rebound from current economic crisis.
The potential collapse of the BIG 3 Manufacturers is real and NOW. Next week Congress and the current Administration will determine whether to provide immediate support to the domestic auto industry to help it through one of the most difficult economic times in our nation's history. Our elected officials must hear from all of us on why this support is critical to millions of people who will be impacted by their decisions
Please go to the link below and get involved, it will only take a few minutes. Please confirm that the e-mail has been sent. http://gmfactsandfiction.com/

Auto industry facts: *3 million jobs lost in the first year
*U.S. personal income reduced by 150.7 billion
*Goverment tax loss over 3 years 156 billion
*The level of economic devastation far exceeds the 25 billion of government support the US Auto industry is asking from Congress.

Bentley Arnage

2008-11-14T13:08:00.000-08:00

With the stock market in free-fall Banks around the world poised for collapse, and our elected officials talking about a trying to avoid a worldwide depression: I just received an email from Bentley telling me about their new, more deluxe version of the Arnage. I'm not sure what is wrong with their marketing team that they believe that I might be a possible customer, but it is fun to pretend.

They begin by telling me how the auto is very exclusive. and that they will limit the edition to just 150 cars worldwide. This is truly good to know, otherwise I would expect to see one of these $275,000 cars parked in every driveway.

"Through a combination of commitment and timeless tradition, the Arnage Final Series is destined to become a true British classic".

Click to Read The rich get richer!

Larry Lubell

Tesla... Zero Emissions, 100% Fun

2008-11-12T15:12:00.000-08:00

If someone asked me to close my eyes and picture an electric car, my brain would present a vehicle half-way between a prius and a golf cart. I would also expect the acceleration to be on par with a Segway or a motorized wheelchair.

Well, open you eyes and watch the Tesla Roadster go from a dead stop to 60 miles per hour faster than a lamborghini. The Tesla is completely powered by electricity stored in the car's battery pack - "fuel tank" which is largest and most advanced lithium ion battery systems ever designed. Its light, durable, recyclable, and capable powering the Tesla Roadster from 0 to 60 mph in under 4 seconds, while storing enough energy for the vehicle to travel about 220 miles on a single charge.

"The first time you drive the Tesla Roadster, prepare to be surprised. You're at freeway speed in seconds without even thinking about it. There is no clutch pedal to contend with and no race-car driving techniques to perform. Just the touch of your foot and you're off, without any of the sluggishness of an automatic".

" A favorite trick here at Tesla Motors is to invite a passenger along and ask him to turn on the radio. At the precise moment we ask, we accelerate. Our passenger simply can't sit forward enough to reach the dials."

The Tesla Roadster delivers full availability of performance every moment you are in the car, even while at a stoplight. Its peak torque begins at 0 rpm and stays powerful at 14,000 rpm.

Specs:
375 volt AC induction air-cooled electric motor with variable frequency drive.
Output 248 peak horsepower (185kW) and 276 ft/lbs (375 nm) of torque.
Redline 14,000 rpm.
0 to 60 mph in under 4 seconds
Zero emissions

Truth is this car is about as far from a golf cart; as The Pussycat Dolls are from Andrews Sisters.

Larry Lubell

Bentley launch of the Azure T

2008-11-01T11:50:00.000-07:00

New for 2009, Bentley has released their new Azure Turbo. This auto combines the style and elegance of the Azure, with an engine which delivers 500bhp.

The Azure T exudes style and sophistication; from the sleek, sculptured contours of its body through to the refined luxury and detail of its handcrafted cabin. Powered by a 6¾ litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine it delivers an exhilarating driving experience matched by assured handling.The Azure T is the most exclusive 4-seat convertible and a luxurious British masterpiece.

Click here to read more.

Dodge Challenger SRT8 2009

2008-09-06T09:28:00.000-07:00

The Chrysler Group took several months to build up to its Challenger introduction. Recently, at a Jan.2008 Barrett-Jackson event in Arizona, a Challenger prototype and the "First Production Purchase Rights were auctioned off to the highest bidder. In honor of Richard Petty, the number 43 production vehicle will be auctioned on Ebay. It will include some special "Petty" items and the proceeds going to charity.
Chrysler said that the 2009 Challenger SRT8 would be built in three colors. The retro design takes you back to the 1970 Challenger, but with an updated power train and amenities of the 21st Century. The Challenger also recently appeared at the 100th assembly of the Chicago Auto Show of 2008, where it took two of the Shows five categories voted on by Consumers to proclaim their favorites. Among those categories Challenger took the Best All-New Production Vehicle and The Best Chicago Auto Show World Introduction awards. The Shelby GT500KR followed up with 18 per cent of the vote in Best Production Vehicle. The GMC Denali came in second place to the Best Chicago World Auto Show with its concept hybird pickup truck.

Think You're Paying Too Much For Car Insurance?

2008-07-17T13:58:00.000-07:00

Call 1-800-680-0707 or click to get a Free Quote.

Urban Insurance Agency has been helping customers save money on their car insurance for more than 45 years.

We represent 20 different companies in order to find you the lowest price on your Auto Insurance.
We feature SR22 filings at the lowest rates in Chicago.

carworldconnect.com

2008-07-09T15:39:00.000-07:00

I found a site filled with some of the hottest Classic Cars.

CarWorldConnect.com

Auto Classifieds: The Collectors Choice
Your One Stop Shopping Source for fine Classic Cars, Hotrods, Muscle Cars,

Every time I see a listing for these cars, I want to kick myself for not buying one of these cars way back when.

BMW CS

2008-05-29T11:44:00.000-07:00

BMW never stops giving car lovers a reason to smile. Every BMW is designed to please and excite, from the 3 series to the Z8. But there is always something about a new Concept Car from BMW to get a car enthusist's blood pumping.

BMW will unveil the CS Concept at the New York Auto Show. But before the show opens to the public, our friends at Jalopnik have some new photos of this concept that apparently , all the the future luxury models will be based on it.

At first glance, it looks like a marriage between a BMW 750 and a Aston Martin.

Photos courtesy of Jalopnik.com

BMW CS Concept video

Audi A8, Some Hot Iron

2008-05-24T11:34:00.000-07:00

The New Audi R8 is one sweet ride.

http://microsites.audi.com/ironman/index_standalone.html?language=en#Starting

At $109,000* the R8 is not cheap, but is on the low side for a Super Car.

Six speed manual or R tronic automated manual transmissionR tronic sequential manual gearboxquattro® permanent all-wheel drive

Alfa Romeo 8C

2008-05-24T11:16:00.000-07:00

At an estimated base price above $200,000, the 8C is clearlyAlfa’s Flagship car.

The 8C Super Car is most expensive model Alfa Remeo ever put out onto the road.

The limited edition 450-horsepower V-8 coupe will see a production run a few hundred and only 90 cars. are expected to be available in the United States this year. Most are already spoken for, the company said. Prospective buyers might instead be wise to inquire about the convertible version due in 2009.

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2008-05-24T11:00:00.000-07:00

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BMW Prototype, 850

2008-05-14T15:35:00.000-07:00

There is something about a prototype.
No mater how nice the production car turns out to be, it always falls short of it potential.

Sure this has a lot to do with trival concerns like is the car street legal, how how do we bring the cost in under $300,000.00 each. I understand the "Cold- water reality" that is the marketplace, but look at the prototype for the BMW 840/ 850.

Next, some shots of a dream car. Called the BMW Nazca concept, it was introduced in 1991 but never made it into production. You say you'd never heard of it or seen pics. Well, no one has, really, so here ya go:

The sexiest BMW the world never got to enjoy.

Not that the BMW 850 is not a Hot Car

Sent by jberzon@yahoo.com>

Ferrari’s 2+2 Flag-Ship car.

2008-02-27T14:28:00.000-08:00

By Ferrari’s standards this is a big car With a wheel base of 2949 mm (116.1 in) and an over all length of 4902 mm (193.0 in), this is the longest car they have produced. As such it has some enthusiasts calling this something other tan a true or classic Ferrari. For many, just the Idea of a back seat, strikes them as out of character. The manufacture describes it differently. The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, named for the Modenese designer who mastered the automotive aluminum form, is designed to be the world's finest 2+2 seat sport coupe. In the long-standing tradition of Gran Turismo Ferraris, the goal is accomplished through high tech, avant-garde design. Styling is by Pininfarina, which advances the sports coupe paradigm while paying homage to the famed Ferrari 375MM Coupe commissioned in 1954 for Ingrid Bergman by Roberto Rossellini.Built entirely of aluminum, which provides extremely high structural rigidity while significantly reducing weight, the 612 Scaglietti is a new breed of 2+2 sports cars. Compared with the outgoing 456M, the new 612 Scaglietti weighs 132 pounds less, providing superior handling and road-holding capabilities. A car clearly in a league of its own, the 612 can carry four passengers in comfort and still achieve speeds and cornering forces most sports cars can only dream of

The asking price for this 2 + 2 comes in at a mere $250,509 dollars US.
But of course as with any Ferrari, the base price is just a starting point.

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

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2007-12-16T15:42:00.000-08:00

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Speed Racer Movie

2007-12-08T09:10:00.000-08:00

For more than 40 years Speed Racer has been driving his Mach 5 to victory.
For all of that time ,we, the viewers have known that Racer X is really Speed»s older brother Rex.
Sprytle and Chim-Chim still hiding in Speed»s truck, Trixie is still in love with her Speed Racer and Pops working away in his garage.
But the real star was and still is the Mach 5.

No other cartoon car has ever been as cool. Speed Racer’s Mach 5
10 Coolest cars

A ferrari is great- but it»s no Mach 5

Andy and Larry Wachowski (The Matrix) have turned Tatsuo Yoshida»s classic 1960s-era hit into a new Live action movie.
Let me know how you think they did.

http://urbaninsuranceagency.com/blog.php

Larry Lubell

UrbanBlog: Britney.... The Train Wreck Continues

2007-09-19T10:56:00.000-07:00

UrbanBlog: Britney.... The Train Wreck Continues

BMW 850i and 850CSi 1989-1999

2007-09-18T11:05:00.000-07:00

When most people think of BMW the image that comes to mind is a well- handling luxury automobile.But for those "In-the-know", BMW has a long history of producing some of the finest and fastest cars on the planet.

So when in 1984 when BMW announced plans to release a new "Top of The Line" sports coupe, the automotive world watched carefully. Finally the 850i Showcased at the Frankfurt Motor Show in '89 and immediately the the automotive publications took notice. It was clear that a new level would be demanded of any car that tried to compete. BMW had clearly thrown the ball back into Mercedes court. With the 850i BMW was saying to Mercedes "Let's see your SL Try to top this!"

BMW never sold too many of the 850s or their lower priced (If you can call $75,000 "Lower Priced") 840 model. But they never expected to, this was their "Flagship" auto and not designed to be common-place of the roads.

There was nothing "Common" about the 850i or the 850CSi reached up to 326 bhp and hit a top speed of 155 mph and a 0-60 time of 6.5 seconds.

But the key to the 8 series is the combination of both performance and drivers comfort.

Larry Lubell
http://www.urbaninsuranceagency.com/

Now are you going to Wear your Seatbelt

2007-09-17T15:42:00.000-07:00

It is hard to believe that this guy walked away from this accident.

When you think of all of the people killed in car crashes at 1/8th the speed,
it is amazing!
Yes he was lucky! But we all can improve our chances in a crash if we remember to always
"Buckle up."

Enzo Car Crash

2007-04-14T23:00:00.000-07:00

Ferrari Enzo

2007-04-14T11:21:00.000-07:00

Of all of the nameplates, none have occupied as many subconscious minds as Ferrari. It is as if their red is just a bit redder, the chrome one step brighter. There is something sexual about a Ferrari, while driven mainly by men, the auto possess a feminine quality. It is just too beautiful not to conjure up images of woman. Men just aren’t that pretty.

Ferrari Enzo

The Ferrari Enzo, is the top-of-the-line offering from the over the top company that is Ferrari. This is a limited production, $1,000,000.00 state of the art driving machine. For those of us who are not CEOs of fortune 500 companies, one would think the Million-dollar price tag would be sufficient to limit production, in truth there is a waiting list for them.

The Enzo is simply the closest any car company has ever come to putting a Formula 1 racecar onto city streets. The car is powered by a V12 660 bhp engine, which redlines at 8,200rpm. This power plant is coupled with a 6 speed gearbox and then set into a 3,000 pound car. With more than 4 ½ horsepower per pound, it is little wonder the Enzo is capable of 0-62 mph in just 3.65 seconds and a top speed of 225 mph. At this price-point, buyers can afford to be a bit “Picky;” so the Ferrari factory invites buyers to have the cockpit of their car tailored to their specific needs. In addition to color there is a choice of four width fittings for both the cushion and backrest of the leather trimmed multi-adjustable Sparco seats. The cabin can literally be built to fit your body like a tailor made suit.

Considering all of the care and expense that goes into creating on a these beauties, it is little wonder that so many Ferrari lovers were so upset when a drunk Mr. Erikssen, a 44 year old former executive of Gizmondo, totaled A 2003 Ferrari Enzo crashed at 6:08 AM on February 21, 2006 in Malibu In a testament to the structural integrity of the carhe walked away from this 130 mph wreck with one small scratch.

What a waste.

Larry Lubell Urban Insurance Agency
Posted in Dream cars

About this page

2007-04-14T10:28:00.000-07:00

There are “practical” cars that you need,
Then there are the “Fun” cars that you want.
For many a car is just a “Tool” a means of getting from point “A” to point “B”. An auto should be efficient and practical. There is an undeniable wisdom to that point of view. In fact I find it quite admirable. I however, am not one of those people.

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Dream Cars (Carrera GT)

2007-03-14T10:59:00.000-07:00

Monday, November 13th, 2006

Cutting edge, state-of-the-art design, are terms many do not associate with Porsche. That is principally the result of falsely believing that because the body style of the 911 changed so little over the last 25 years, that mechanics must have remained similar as well. The fact is, nothing could be further from the truth. Maybe in part because the “Look” has inched forward, additional pressure was placed on Porsche to consistently up-grade each component and system. While the classic 911 (Carrera) appears familiar, the Carrera GT looks like it was designed by NASA. As radically new as the auto looks, It is the materials and components where the real innovation lies. The Carrera GT features the extensive use of lightweight materials, including Carbon-fiber body panels. These parts are stronger than steel but at a fraction of the weight.The car features are a 5.7-liter, 605-horsepower V10 engine that redlines at 8,400 RPMs. Its aerodynamic chassis and transmission is the product of Porsche’s success in Formula 1 racing. The Carrera GT is also the first production car to use a ceramic composite clutch. The Carrera GT’s race-performance suspension package provides for safe and stable driving at speeds of up to 205 mph.

Carrera GT

For those of us more excited by acceleration than top speed, you will be please to know that this rocket will propel you form a standing start to 62 mph in only 3.9 seconds. That ought to scare the heck out of your date.With a sticker price in excess of $440,000.00 and a limited production, you should not have a difficult time finding your car in the parking lot. Yours will be the one with a crowd of people encircling it and drooling.
Larry Lubell
Urban Insurance Agency

Bond’s New Car?

2007-01-14T10:02:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, January 23rd, 2007

As long as there have been Bond films there have been Dream Cars connected with the films. It is impossible to think of either James Bond or Aston Martin with out thinking about the other.

Of all of the “Bond” cars, it is still the Aston DB5 that is most closely associated with the 007. Not only did the car contain, what was at the time, the coolest batch of “Toys” ever seen in a film car, the DB5 was also one of the most beautiful cars ever built.In the most recent Bond flick, “Casino Royale,” not only does James get behind the wheel of the new super fast Aston Martin DBS, but he also wins a DB5 in a poker game.

The DBS is essentially a DB9 on steroids. When you look at the stats for the DB9 it seems almost difficult to believe that a designer would think the auto needs more of anything, but the designers at Aston Martin pushed the car to true “Super Car” status when the created the limited addition DBS.If the rumors are correct it appears that Ford motor Co, will use their $100 million dollar, three-movie contract with “Bond” to promote their Jaguar division and the release of the Jaguar C-XF “concept car.”

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SLR McLaren

2006-11-27T10:43:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, November 28th, 2006

A Mercedes has always been a status symbol, associated with wealth, power and a sence of class. The history of mercedes consists of a parade of both luxury and performance cars sure to be on any car lovers wish list. Mercedes-Benz vehicles have been trend-setters at every turn of the automobile’s eventful history. As long as you can put out of your mind the image of Hitler waving from the back seat.

SLR McLaren

The SLR McLaren is a milestone automotive achievement, as much for its staggering power and performance as its Formula 1 inspired engineering and design. With a top speed listed at 208 mph and a 0-60 time of under 3.8 seconds, this car is clearly one of the fastest production autos every to be released on to the public streets.The SLR at first glance looks like a fully-loaded, tricked out SL550 ( A not too shabby $95,000- $120,000 model). But a closer look will make it clear, that while taking its styling cues from the SL The McLaren is an entirely different beast.“To be sure, the Greatest Car in the World has to be fast, but it should also be able to function as a car. The promise of the SLR is that it is the complete package.”Esquire Magazine
This car while bareing the Mercedes name plate, is in large part a hand built product of AMG. All of that loveing care and high-tech persision comes with a lofty price in excess of $450,000.00.
No one ever said Deams come cheap" Send your comments