Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at 10:44PM Spotted this stunning A7 outside member's evening at the MoMA. I bet Audi USA parked this car outside the museum for PR reasons, but I found it very appropriate and very beautiful.
A7, Audi, MoMA, street sighting in Street Sightings Sunday, March 25, 2012 at 1:31PM Reading this month's Vintage Racecar Magazine, I came across a fantastic period photo of a gorgeous low-slung GT car prototype. Its designer was Pete Brock, who penned the Shelby Daytona Coupe and was the originator of the Corvette Sting Ray. Brock and his buddies Bruce Burness and Trevor Harris got together to design this car from the ground up for Toyota at their shop in California. This followed on the heels of Brock's successful work for Japanese maker Hino, which was then acquired by Toyota. By this point, Brock enjoyed a good reputation in Japan, which must be how he was commissioned to create the JP6.
The JP6 was to be Toyota's 2-Liter entry for Le Mans, using the inline six from the 2000GT as its powerplant (with view towards an eventual V8) and a diminutive spaceframe structure for the chassis. Development started in 1966, but was scuppered due to lack of funding by '67, and Toyota had the prototype shipped back to them where it presumably was scrapped or used as a testbed for other more promising projects. The car never turned a wheel in anger, but it certainly looked state of the art for the time, and was achingly beautiful. I have no idea what happened to the prototype, but I would certainly love to see it come out of the shadows if it does still exist.
Image credits: Automobile Magzine, top. Other images from Shin Yoshikawa's book on the 2000GT.
More info in French at 2000gt.net
2000GT, Design History, JP6, Le Mans, Pete Brock, Prototype, Toyota, one-off in History Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at 1:33AM A clear day in Brooklyn gave way to this eerie fog as we crossed the Verrazano Bridge into Staten Island. The setting sun was veiled in the mist, adding to the spectacular effect.
Brooklyn, Photography in Miscellaneous Monday, March 19, 2012 at 10:52AM Every so often, I come across cars I've never heard of but can't figure out how I could be unaware of something so beautiful! This is one of those times. Idly searching for interesting cars online, I suddenly found myself staring at a low-slung, sleek red machine with all the hallmarks of late 1960's Italian sports car design. 
The car in question is the 1968 Neri & Bonacini Studio GT Due Litri. Like many of these forgotten cars, it was a prototype developed on a tiny budget in the hope that publicity would spur capital needed to develop the car, attract a proper engine supplier, and set up larger production. Neri & Bonacini were no strangers to modifying cars, having produced the famous Ferrari "Breadvan." Here, they sought to develop an all-new car from the ground up.
They considered many possible engines, but the car in the photos is powered by a tiny Lancia V4 engine, mounted midship. The car resembles the Lamborghini Miura from the rear, and somewhat presages the shape of the Uracco when seen fron the side view. The pleasing front end is quite interesting for the use of pop-up headlamps. 2 prototypes were made. The car pictured is the second one, owned by John Mastroianni Sr. of Auto Turismo & Sport , New Milford, CT, and in original, unrestored condition! I found these photos on their website, which has some great images from their shop! Some day I'll have to drop by and pay a visit!
Photo credit: Auto Turismo Sport
More info on the Studio GT and interior photos also at supercars.net
Friday, March 16, 2012 at 11:19AM For anyone planing a trip to Japan in the near future, I highly recommend you pay a visit to our friends at Motorimoda! It's a very unique shop for discerning car and motorcycle enthusiasts with a sense of style. They have 3 locations: One in Tokyo's Ginza shopping district, one in Nagoya, and one in Kobe. The Kobe store, which just opened, is shown below. I first learned of Motorimoda when I saw their ad in a Japanese Rally magazine. They carry all of that impossible to find Martini Racing merchandise and a lot of other cool clothing and gear I have never seen anywhere else! I'm pleased to say that they are now stocking Autodromo Watches as well! So for any readers in Japan, go check out the shop, and have a look at our watches in person! Or visit Motorimoda Online.
;)
;)
;)
;)
Autodromo, Japanese, Motorimoda, apparel, gear, store in Object of Desire 