Saturday, July 15, 2017

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (1954-1963)



The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL is considered by many to be the first supercar. The coupe version with the gullwing doors was produced from 1954 to 1957 and the roadster from 1957 to 1963, with 1400 and 1858 units of each made, respectively. The iconic 1950s Mercedes-Benz classic is powered by a 3.0-liter inline-six with 212-240 horses and 202-216 foot-pounds. It can launch from 0 to 60 in nine seconds, onto a top speed of 165 mph. When this vehicle was new, it was the fastest car in the world (this can be said about quite a few supercars). Power is sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed stick shift. The 300 SL is also the first vehicle to have direct fuel injection. It handles better and drives more comfortably than most 1950s cars. The SLS AMG built from 2011 to 2014, which has been featured on this site in the past, is the spiritual successor to the 300 SL. Examples of the 300 SL that go up for sale today can fetch anywhere between $1 million and $5 million. To sum things up, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL is amazing and one of the best and most beautiful cars of the 50s.

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Spyker C8 Preliator




The C8 Preliator is the latest model to come from Dutch sports car manufacturer Spyker. Like other Spyker models such as the C8 Aileron, C8 Laviolette, B6 Venator, and C12 Zagato, the C8 Preliator's design is influenced by the company's aviation roots. It is powered by a 4.2-liter V8 sourced from Audi churning out 525 horsepower. It can launch from 0 to 60 in 3.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 200 mph. The C8 Preliator is offered with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. Unlike the previous C8 models, the Preliator comes standard with a heads-up display and bluetooth connectivity. To sum things up, this car is absolutely incredible. The attention to detail is unlike 99 percent of street-legal production vehicles. However, like many boutique supercar manufacturers, Spykers are often forgotten among exotic lore since they are extremely rare and very few dealers are commissioned to sell them. If you have the finances for a supercar, want to stand out in the enthusiast community and beyond, and are also fascinated by airplanes, any Spyker model may be in your future.

On a side note, I would like to wish my American viewers a safe and happy Fourth of July.