Best of Car Shows 2023 Part 1

 We are already halfway through 2023, so why not begin wrapping up some of the best cars I've seen this year a bit early? I have attended several different car shows so far this year that featured plenty of amazing vehicles. Rather than featuring these towards the end of the year like I've done in years past, I plan to feature them now in this post. As it has gone before, the cars in this compilation were from shows I attended from February to June of this year. I will only feature a few photos of each vehicle from every show attended during this time period that made the cut, as there are quite a few cars to showcase here. 

Without further ado, presenting Part 1 of the Best of Car Shows 2023. The rest of the Best of 2023 series will be released towards the end of the year as per usual. 

1989 Porsche 911 Speedster 

Porsche 911 Turbo (930 Slantnose) 

Ferrari 458 Italia 

Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano 

Corvette C8 Z06 

McLaren 720S 

Corvette C2 Stingray 

McLaren 600LT 

Ferrari F430 

Porsche 911 GT2 RS (991) 

Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo Evo 

Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 

Ferrari 16M Scuderia Spider 

Lamborghini Huracan Performante Spyder 

McLaren MP4-12C 

Lamborghini Aventador 

Ferrari FF 

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG 

Ferrari F8 

Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 

Cadillac CTS-V Wagon 

Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series 

Lamborghini Aventador SVJ 

Lamborghini Aventador Ultimae 

Lamborghini Aventador S 

Lamborghini Aventador SV

Lamborghini Huracan Evo 

Lamborghini Gallardo/Superleggera 

Audi R8 (2nd-gen) 

McLaren 765LT Spider 

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series 

Ferrari 488 Pista Spider 

Rolls-Royce Phantom VII 

Ferrari 488 GTB 

Lamborghini Huracan 

Ford GT (2005-06) 

You can further support my blogs by checking out my merch (sample pictured below): CPF Store  

 

Ferrari 488 Pista Spider

 

The 488 Pista Spider is Ferrari's latest version of its most performance-oriented open-top mid-engine V8 supercar. This specific version of the 488 was added to the 488 lineup for only the 2020 model year and is powered by a 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 with 711 horsepower and 567 lb-ft of torque paired to a seven-speed automatic gearbox. It launches from zero to 60 mph in 2.7 seconds and is capable of a top speed of 211 mph. The most noticeable differences between the 488 Pista and the standard 488 are the former's revised front and rear fascias, featuring larger air vents and additional carbon fiber trim pieces. Inside, the cabin is outfitted in leather, suede, and carbon fiber trim, and features straps instead of real door handles to close the doors as another key weight-saving measure. The 488 Pista was also the first Ferrari to feature the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer, a stability control system that makes the vehicle more responsive and easier to control when driven at high speeds.

Pricing for the Ferrari 488 Pista Spider started at around $350,000 when new, but its value has nearly doubled on the resale market today. The Prancing Horse supercar manufacturer replaced the 488 with the current F8 in 2021. I have seen a handful of 488 Pistas in person thus far, and this red Spider is the most recent of those, which was on display at a car show I attended back in late May. In all, the 488 Pista is an incredible supercar and one of the coolest, most impressive mid-engine V8 Prancing Horses ever built.

You can further support my blogs by checking out my merch (sample pictured below): CPF Store  

 

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series

 

The SLS AMG Black Series is the track-focused version of Mercedes-Benz's modern gullwing supercar and one of six hardcore Mercedes-AMG Black Series models ever made to this point. It was added to the SLS portfolio in 2012 for the 2013 and 2014 model years as the SLS AMG GT3 race car in street-legal form. Powering the SLS AMG Black Series is a naturally-aspirated 6.3-liter V8 with 622 horsepower and 468 lb-ft of torque paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The SLS Black Series launches from zero to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds and tops out at 196 mph. Notable changes on the Black Series model compared to the standard SLS AMG and SLS AMG GT include an increased use of carbon fiber in its body panels, mechanical components, and space frame, a titanium exhaust system, a unique body kit, a prominent carbon-fiber rear wing, an electronically-controlled rear-axle differential lock, and an upgraded suspension. In total, the Black Series weighs 154 pounds less than the base SLS.

Mercedes-Benz built around 350 units of the SLS AMG Black Series, about 200 of which were allocated to the U.S. The average SLS AMG Black Series is currently valued in the $500,000s on the resale market. I have now seen roughly three or four SLS Black Series examples in person so far, with the most recent one featured in this post from a car show I attended in late May. The SLS Black Series was a favorite car of mine when I was a teenager, and I still see it as one of the coolest and most impressive Mercedes-Benzes of all time due to its raw power, timeless and menacing appearance, and overall exclusivity.

You can further support my blogs by checking out my merch (sample pictured below): CPF Store  

 

McLaren 765LT Spider

 

The 765LT is the most recent McLaren track-oriented Long Tail model. It was introduced in 2021 as the Long-Tail version of the 720S. This post will focus mainly on the open-top Spider version of the 765LT, which was added in 2022. The 765LT is powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 755 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, sending power to the rear wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox. It makes the dash from zero to 60 mph in 2.7 seconds and is capable of a top speed of 205 mph. Like its fixed-roof component, the 765LT Spider adds a redesigned front splitter and rear diffuser, a larger retractable rear wing, a quad exhaust setup, and an upgraded chassis over the 720S that it is based on. As for the 765LT Spider specifically, it contains a retractable hardtop that adds a bit of weight compared to its fixed-roof version but doesn't mess with its thrilling driving experience. The 765LT's interior is practically the same as that of the lesser 720S, except the former has several weight-saving measures such as lightweight seats, thinner-gauge glass, and removed carpet to help boost performance.

Like the coupe, McLaren only built 765 units of the 765LT Spider, with pricing starting at $382,500. Featured here is the only 765LT Spider that I've seen in person thus far, which was at a car show I attended back in late May. It stood out to me more than most vehicles I saw that day and was one of the most impressive cars on display there. The only other 765LT I've seen in person was near last year's Exotics on Broadway show in Monterey, which was a coupe. Overall, the McLaren 765LT is an incredible rare and hardcore supercar and the coolest, craziest, and most impressive Long-Tail McLaren to date.

You can further support my blogs by checking out my merch (sample pictured below): CPF Store  

 

Lamborghini Aventador S

 

Here we have another post on a Lamborghini Aventador, this time in the form of the S. The Aventador S was introduced in 2016 for the 2017 model year as an updated version of the standard Aventador. Its 6.5-liter V12 has been upgraded to 730 horsepower compared to the earlier base Aventador, while torque remains steady at 509 lb-ft. It carries a 0-60-mph time of 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 217 mph. Aesthetically, the Aventador S has received an updated front fascia, new rear diffuser, and rear fins, while it mechanically adds four-wheel steering, permanent all-wheel drive, and a slightly tweaked suspension. In addition, the Aventador S contains 130 percent more downforce than the original Aventador. 

Lamborghini produced the Aventador S until 2021 and has officially replaced it with the Revuelto. Values for the Aventador S are currently ranging in the $400,000s on the resale market. Overall, the Lamborghini Aventador S may not have the it-factor that other versions of the Aventador have, but it is an amazing supercar and one of the most appealing Lambos nonetheless.

You can further support my blogs by checking out my merch (sample pictured below): CPF Store