Category: Cars

I’m posting this image for two reasons. One is because it shows one car from a different angle that appeared in the last CPotD… and I’m not talking about the Jaguar in the foreground. The white car behind it is the subject here. I had thought it was a Turner, and Paul ID’ed it as a Triumph. I was going to say he was wrong, but I looked again. I REMEMBERED a Turner being in this rally (The 2007 Monte Shelton) and just assumed it was this car appearing behind the Jaguar. I looked closely at my pics of the Turner and this car is NOT a Turner. I looked for any other white convertible from that weekend and could only find these two photos. It very well could be a TR, but I’m not sure enough to call it.

I also looked at this photo and saw two photos. One was just a record/snapshot sort of thing to make note of the cars and people, the other, more likely what I was looking at while I was peering through the viewfinder was this:

This is the photo in my minds-eye whenever I see an XK. That luscious bonnet and fenders, with all those light-capturing curves. These cars are a photographer’s dream for this feature alone.

No. This is not this year’s check-in for the Monte Shelton NW Classic, but a past year. It always looks the same though as it happens in the exact same spot, and many of the same cars participate each year… so I could have lied to save face. I’m too honest for my own good sometimes. So here’s a little distraction to while away the day while I work… at work, on my deck, on making BioDiesel, or whatever else is keeping me from writing up the story of our rally.

Can you name all the cars in this picture. SIX are visible enough for an ID from an expert car-spotter. Try your hand in the comments.

Not really a grand tourer, so seeing a 914 in a Vanishing Point like highway setting is a bit odd, but otherwise I’ve always had a like for these little mongrels from Stuttgart. Or was it Wolfsburg? (will that debate ever end… Porsche people need to lighten up!)

I can think of few better (vintage) weapons for carving up a wildly twisty roads or an autocross course…. beyond perhaps a Lotus 7, but at least you’ll stay relatively warm, dry, and comfy in the 914.

It is a shame that few cars like this are built anymore. Small (in size and displacement), affordable, sporty, fun, raceable and streetable. Yes, there is the Miata, but that is more akin to a modern MG B or other SBC Roadster than a 914. It would be neat if VW put the blue-sport concept thing into production, as that would certainly fit the bill. Diesel too!

In other news, I painlessly completed the WP upgrade of the blog software, so all you folks whining to me behind the scenes about security risks can stop whining and comment on fun stuff now! The deck work is nearing the end so hopefully I can write up the Monte Shelton tale soon. Stay tuned.

OK, not really a bum, but let’s just say it wasn’t highly regarded or well-loved outside of a small group of car enthusiasts. Pretty easy guess, but do you know the car?

Sorry for the lack of updates of late. Since my return from the two recent Jag-trips I’ve been enmeshed in the never-ending deck-rebuild project, work, and visits by relatives. I’ll get back to updating the website (in more ways than one!) soon. I have to write up the Monte Shelton Rally story, and I also need to update WordPress asap. Be patient while I hammer and saw behind the scenes.

This car is a bit pedestrian, especially with that ugly one reflected in the chrome, but it is well-loved and instantly recognizable when seen from other angles. Know what car it is?

By the way, If you’re reading this on facebook you are better off coming over here: chuck.goolsbee.org to comment, as I generally ignore comments on #fb