Best of Car Spotting 2018 Part 1

As I have done in years past, I wrap up the calendar year by showcasing the best and most unusual vehicles I have spotted on the street and at car shows I attended. I will start with Part 1 of the Best of Car Spotting two-part series for 2018, which consists of the greatest vehicles I spotted on the street from January to June. Leave your thoughts in the comments below and stay tuned for Part 2 of Best of Car Spotting 2018 along with the Best of Car Shows 2018 series. Enjoy!

Lamborghini Aventador Roadster

 Ferrari 360 Modena

 Rolls-Royce Wraith

 Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon

 1st-gen Audi R8 V10 Spyder

 Porsche 911 Turbo/S (991)

Subaru 360

Featured here is the first model in Subaru's history, the 360. It was produced from 1958 to 1971 with 392,000 units created in total and 10,000 of them making their way Stateside. Under the boot is a two-cylinder engine producing only 25 horsepower. The 360 goes from 0 to 60 mph in about 37.5 seconds; it is by no means a performance car. As you would expect from a car like this, it had very poor handling and was lacking in terms of amenities. Also, it is a lot smaller and less powerful than the original Volkswagen Beetle. Simply put, the Subaru 360 was designed for Japanese tastes in mind and not so much for American tastes. Today, like several underappreciated vehicles in history, Subaru's first model has gained a cult following among a select group of enthusiasts and collectors. I would never want to own one of these, but I respect the Subaru 360 for being a quirky car that not too many people know of.

De Tomaso Pantera

The De Tomaso Pantera is a great fusion of Italian exotic and American muscle in one vehicle. It was produced from 1971 to 1991 and imported Stateside until 1975. A little over 7,000 examples were made during its entire production run. I mainly plan to focus on the US-spec Pantera for this post. It is powered by a Ford 351 cu (5.8L) Cleveland V8 churning out 330 horsepower and 344 lb-ft of torque. 0 to 60 mph occurs in 5.5 seconds onto a top speed of 159 mph. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a ZF five-speed manual. When the De Tomaso Pantera was new, it was sold through the Lincoln Mercury dealer network. However, the examples initially imported to the U.S. were built with steel body panels that were prone to rusting. Next, Lincoln Mercury dealers had no clue how to repair these vehicles. On top of that, the Oil Crisis was underway, bringing up concerns regarding the Pantera's safety and emissions. As a result of this unfortunate sequence of events, Ford discontinued sales of the Pantera in the U.S. in 1975. On a more positive note, like many classic Italian sports cars, the De Tomaso Pantera has become a sought-after vehicle among collectors and continues to appreciate in value. As of now, examples on the market can fetch anywhere from $80k to $400k. To me, the De Tomaso Pantera is a truly special car, and I am absolutely intrigued whenever I spot one in real life.

Porsche 919 Hybrid

The 919 Hybrid marked Porsche's return to endurance racing, specifically the LMP class, after a five-year absence. It made its racing debut at the 2014 6 Hours of Silverstone at the Silverstone Circuit in the UK to begin the season that year. From there, it went on to win three consecutive 24 Hours of Le Mans races from 2015 to 2017. Porsche used a tandem of three different drivers in each running of Le Mans from 2015-17 to carry them to victory, along with other races the 919 has participated in. Behind the cockpit is a 2.0-liter turbo four-banger mated to a lithium-ion battery with a combined output of over 900 horsepower. It also contains an energy recovery system that operates through a turbine in the exhaust. Earlier this year, Porsche unveiled a successor to the 919 Hybrid known as the 919 Evo, which improves on the already incredible specs and engineering of the original 919. In a nutshell, this is one of the most impressive Porsche motorsport vehicles thus far. Expect more posts on Porsche race cars in the near future, so stay tuned.

Jaguar XJ220

Produced from 1992 to 1994, the Jaguar XJ220 was once the fastest car in the world, with the "220" half of its name referring to its intended 220 mph top speed. It was originally supposed to have a racing-derived 6.2-liter V12, but Jaguar used a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 instead for various reasons. The XJ220's mid-engine twin-turbo V6 makes 542 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque, which propels the vehicle from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds according to Jaguar. Only a five-speed stick shift was offered with the XJ220. The vehicle held the title of World's Fastest Road Car by the Guinness Book of World Records until the McLaren F1 smashed that record in 1998 by hitting a top speed of 240 mph. Unfortunately, Jaguar didn't have the finances and resources to allow the XJ220 to reach its full potential as a supercar. Therefore, Jaguar made just 271 examples of the XJ220, less than what the British automaker desired. Despite its rough history, the Jaguar XJ220 is now a sought-after collector's item and continues to appreciate in value. It is one of the coolest and most interesting Jaguars ever built, along with the E-Type, F-Type, and certain versions of the XK.

Mazda Cosmo 110S

 The Cosmo is one of the earliest and most significant vehicles in Mazda's history. The example featured above is a 1969 Cosmo 110S, in which the latter half of the model name was used on those that Mazda planned to export out of Japan. It is also one of the first vehicles to utilize the Wankel rotary engine. The earliest form of the rotary motor made anywhere from 110 to 130 horsepower. Either a four-speed or five-speed manual was offered in the first-gen Cosmo. Mazda's earliest rotary sports car is capable of hitting a top speed of approximately 120 mph. Its production run lasted from 1967 to 1972 and only a handful are known to reside in the US and Canada. In other news, Mazda is rumored to debut a new rotary-powered sports car known as the RX-9 in the next few years, which should be pretty exciting. Back to the Cosmo 110S, it is the most brilliant Mazda ever made, especially in regards to its styling and engineering.

Corvette Italia by Scaglietti

At first glance, this may be a Ferrari 250 GT. What if I told you this is an Italian coachbuilt Corvette? In fact, I had no idea Scaglietti re-bodied a Corvette in 1959 until I saw one on display at the Petersen Auto Museum in L.A. Part of why you may not have heard of or recognize this vehicle is because only three were ever produced. Each unit is powered by a Chevy small-block V8 mated to a four-speed manual. The Corvette Italia was intended to be a more reliable alternative to its European exotic competitors at the time, but never fully panned out, hence why so few of them were made. If the Corvette Italia's production run lasted longer than it originally did, it would have had the potential to change the course of automotive history, but we will never know for sure. Despite its unfortunate fate, the Scaglietti Corvette is one of the most fascinating vehicles in the Petersen Auto Museum collection.

1997 Porsche 911 GT1

The 911 GT1 is Porsche's entry in the GT1 racing class in the late 1990s. It is powered by a mid-ship 3.2-liter turbo flat-six with 600 horses. This example features headlights and taillights from the 993-gen 911, while other GT1s contain the 996-gen's headlights and taillights. The launch from 0 to 62 mph happens in 3.9 seconds, capable of a top speed of 206 mph. A street-legal version of the 911 GT1 was also created in order to comply with FIA homologation rules. Another significant aspect of the 911 GT1 is that it was the first 911 model to transition from air-cooled motors to water-cooled motors. These hardcore Porsche 911 variants typically sell for anywhere between $1 million and $5 million at a dealer or auction. Simply put, the 911 GT1 is one of the baddest Porsche models not enough people remember.

1:1 Scale McLaren 720S LEGO Replica

This is one of a handful of life-size vehicles created almost entirely of LEGOs. The LEGO McLaren 720S was first displayed at the 2017 Goodwood Festival of Speed and created using over 280,000 LEGO pieces on the standard 720S' steel chassis. It also has actual wheels and Pirelli PZero Corsa tires attached to the replica. The LEGO 720S' assembly by a six-man crew from McLaren took more than 2,000 hours to complete. Compared to a mainstream 720S, the LEGO version is 372 pounds heavier, weighing in at 3,200 pounds. In regards to the real McLaren 720S, it is powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 with 710 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque mated to a seven-speed automatic. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 2.7 seconds onto a top speed of 212 mph. The 720S has a starting price of $284,745. Regardless of whether it is made of LEGO bricks or not, McLaren's current Super Series model is absolutely amazing and one of the best mid-engine supercars on the market today.

Ferrari 550 Maranello

The 550 Maranello is one of several Ferrari front-engine V12 GT vehicles. Its production run lasted from 1996 to 2001, succeeding the Testarossa and preceding the 575M Maranello. The V12 in the 550 displaces 5.5 liters and makes 478 horsepower and 419 lb-ft of torque. It launches from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and claims a top speed of 199 mph. Every 550 model is paired to a six-speed manual gearbox. The 550 is also the last V12 Prancing Horse to come standard with a stick shift. Unlike many exotics of the late 1990s and early 2000s, the 550 Maranello contains an interior adorned with carbon fiber straight from Ferrari. For those who are rather unfamiliar with Ferrari, Maranello refers to the city where the brand's factory and headquarters are located. A typical used 550 Maranello sells for around $170k. In short, the Ferrari 550 Maranello is a truly wonderful car. Although it may appear more subtle than most Ferraris, I still get excited every time I see a 550 Maranello in person because of its significance to the automotive world.

2018 Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon

To average individuals, the Mercedes-AMG E63 S wagon is just a normal Mercedes-Benz wagon; to car geeks like me, it is the ultimate daily driver. Powering this beast is a 4.0-liter AMG twin-turbo V8 producing 603 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. It launches from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 3.4 seconds and can reach a top speed limited to 180 mph. If the speed limiter on the AMG E63 S is removed, I guarantee the vehicle will hit 200 mph at the very least. Power is distributed to all four wheels via a nine-speed dual-clutch. Although it isn't featured here, the interior is well-designed using the finest materials and contains a ton of technology. Like most current Mercedes-Benz models, the AMG E63 S features the COMAND infotainment system that can be controlled with either a knob or pad on the center divider or a small pad on the right side of the steering wheel. Many new vehicles are offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G LTE WiFi, and the AMG E63 S is no different. Unlike most cars, the AMG E63 S has an extra sun visor to put down in front of you if you ever position the main sun visor off to the side. Pricing for the Three-Pointed Star's top-of-the-line wagon starts at $106,950, with options bumping the total cost up to around $140k. In summary, the Mercedes-AMG E63 S, especially in wagon form, is the best overall car. It contains enough space to haul the family and groceries. Additionally, the E63 has performance on par with many supercars and looks undeniably gorgeous.

Ask Me Anything Vol. 4

I have decided to change things up a bit with the Q&A segments and include questions not relating to automobiles from here on out, hence the title change. However, if the questions I receive are too personal, I prefer to not answer them. Otherwise, everything else remains the same regarding the Q&A posts. You guys seem to enjoy these, so let's get into it:

Q: Rank your favorite MLB teams from least favorite to favorite.

A: If you didn't know already, I am a big sports fan outside of being a car enthusiast, and Major League Baseball is one of the sports leagues I pay the most attention to. This ranking is entirely subjective and opinionated, so don't get angry if I don't think of your favorite team as highly as you. A few spots may change over time, but most are guaranteed to remain in their respective places.

30) Los Angeles Dodgers

29) Oakland Athletics

28) Arizona Diamondbacks

27) San Diego Padres

26) Colorado Rockies

25) Seattle Mariners

24) Milwaukee Brewers

23) Texas Rangers

22) Philadelphia Phillies

21) St. Louis Cardinals

20) Minnesota Twins

19) Cleveland Indians

18) New York Yankees

17) Cincinnati Reds

16) Atlanta Braves

15) Chicago White Sox

14) Tampa Bay Rays

13) Kansas City Royals

12) Pittsburgh Pirates

11) Baltimore Orioles

10) Toronto Blue Jays

9) Miami Marlins

8) Washington Nationals

7) Houston Astros

6) Boston Red Sox

5) Detroit Tigers

4) Chicago Cubs

3) New York Mets

2) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

1) San Francisco Giants

Below are a few photos from the most recent Giants game I attended, April 29 vs. the LA Dodgers: 

Q: Rank your favorite NHL teams from least favorite to favorite.

A: Like the MLB, I also pay close attention to the National Hockey League. In relation to the previous question, this list is entirely subjective. A few spots may change over time, but most are guaranteed to remain in their respective places.

31) Los Angeles Kings

30) Anaheim Ducks

29) Arizona Coyotes

28) Edmonton Oilers

27) Vancouver Canucks

26) Calgary Flames

25) Dallas Stars

24) Buffalo Sabres

23) Ottawa Senators

22) Winnipeg Jets

21) Columbus Blue Jackets

20) Montreal Canadiens

19) Vegas Golden Knights

18) Toronto Maple Leafs

17) Colorado Avalanche

16) Carolina Hurricanes

15) Nashville Predators

14) Minnesota Wild

13) New Jersey Devils

12) Philadelphia Flyers

11) St. Louis Blues

10) Florida Panthers

9) Pittsburgh Penguins

8) Boston Bruins

7) New York Islanders

6) Chicago Blackhawks

5) Washington Capitals

4) Detroit Red Wings

3) New York Rangers

2) Tampa Bay Lightning

1) San Jose Sharks 

Q: Would you rather lose Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final in overtime or get swept in the Stanley Cup Final?

A: I would rather lose Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final in overtime knowing I was that close to winning it all. It may be very painful and difficult to move on from, but being one goal away from winning the Cup is more of an accomplishment than going to the Cup Final and not winning a single game.

Q: Would you rather finish one game/point out of a playoff spot or finish dead last in the league?

A: I would rather finish one game/point out of a playoff spot because my team would have meaningful games toward the end of the season, played hard for much of the season, and have a better chance of making the playoffs next season. The team that finishes dead last would normally have a forgetful season and no motivation to be competitive. However, the team that finishes dead last would have the best odds to get the first overall selection in the following draft, so there is one benefit to the latter option.

Q: Would you rather retire as a role player with one championship or retire with no championships but have a hall of fame career?

A: I would rather retire as a role player with one championship. A hall of fame career would be nice, but the ultimate goal of every pro athlete and if I was a pro athlete is winning a championship. It would seem as if something would be missing if I retired with a hall of fame resume and no championship rings, but it happens to many players unfortunately.

Q: What is your favorite sports rivalry?

A: My favorite sports rivalry would have to be Giants-Dodgers. This rivalry has a ton of history to it, dating back to when these teams used to play in New York. Both of these teams are built similarly (big market team that is competitive and likes to spend) and are repped nearly everywhere. In many seasons they've played, the Giants and Dodgers have been pretty evenly matched. In terms of recent success, the Dodgers have won five consecutive NL West titles, while the Giants have won three World Series titles in a five-year span (2010, 2012, 2014). By now, you should already know who I favor in one of the greatest rivalries in all of sports.
      The runner-up to Giants-Dodgers would be the NHL Battle of California, which consists of the San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks (you should have already figured out who I am biased toward).

Q: What is your biggest pet peeve when behind the wheel?

A: While driving, I have at least a few pet peeves. These would include drivers going incredibly slow in the passing lane, not using their turn signals when necessary, running red lights and stop signs, and tailgating. However, my biggest pet peeve on the road would have to be when a driver pulls out right in front of me and goes at a snail's pace. I have witnessed this instance previously and it grinds my gears every time. Many of you can probably relate to these bad driving habits occurring in your daily commutes and wonder how some drivers even received their licenses to begin with.

Q: If you started your own car company, what would it be called? Where would it be located? What would its product plan be?

A: If I were to start my own car company, it would probably be known as CPF Automotive (CPF being my initials), and its headquarters would be located in either Silicon Valley (Santa Clara & San Mateo Counties), the greater L.A. area, or Orange County. If my car company grows large enough, I will more than likely have company headquarters in the Bay Area and the assembly plant somewhere in Southern California. The product plan would consist of at least one sedan, one SUV, one sports car, and maybe an entry-level hatchback. Sales would begin in the US and Canada through a dealer network and eventually expand to Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia, and Latin America depending on how successful the company gets. Contracts will be discussed with various parts suppliers to assist in vehicle assembly.

This concludes Volume 4 of Ask Me Anything. Leave your questions in the comments so they can be answered in future Ask Me Anything posts. Lastly, I highly recommend that you follow me on Instagram @carsons_car_pics for bonus content if you haven't done so already. Thanks!

Ford Escort RS2000 Mk I

The Escort RS2000 is one of many classic Fords only intended for Europe. It was a popular vehicle for rally racing in the 1970s for its relatively small size and simplicity, and it still is to an extent. Under the bonnet is a 2.0-liter four-banger producing 109 horsepower and 117 lb-ft of torque, paired to a four-speed manual. The first-gen Escort RS2000 launches from 0 to 62 mph in 9.8 seconds and is capable of a top speed of 109 mph. It may be seen as underpowered to many, but the Escort RS2000 Mk I weighs just over 2000 pounds and wasn't designed to handle an incredible amount of power. Early performance-oriented European Ford Escorts pique my interest since it is a sporty vehicle that was never sold in the States. They aren't the coolest classic cars, but I bet the European Ford Escort RS models would be very fun to drive.

Dodge Viper ACR (2016-17)

 The 2016-17 ACR is the fastest and last Dodge Viper model ever made. Its engine specs are identical to those of the fifth-gen Viper base, GTS, GTC, and TA models, with a 8.4-liter V10 producing 645 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque. Each 2013 and newer Viper model launches from 0 to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds and can reach a top speed of 177 mph. All fifth-gen Vipers came equipped with six-speed manual transmissions. An aerodynamic kit sets the ACR apart from the other Viper trim levels, consisting of a prominent fixed rear wing, front fender cutouts, and a larger front splitter. While the 2016-17 Viper ACR was in production, it shattered lap records at various racetracks such as the Nurburgring and Laguna Seca. Unfortunately, FCA had to give the Viper the axe due to mediocre sales and its lack of side curtain airbags. Regardless, this snake is one of the most impressive Chrysler products in existence, despite now getting outshined by the Challenger Hellcat/Demon and Charger Hellcat. In terms of the competition, I would rather have the C7 Corvette, especially the Z06 and ZR1, because the Vette is more exhilarating and usable on a regular basis.