In defense of GM's Saab?

I think a lot of people have hated on GM's management of the Saab brand.  And with good reason.  Some of the cars were lackluster, and their overpriced WRX-based 9-2X, and bloated Envoy-clone 9-7X were boneheaded line extensions par excellence.  However, just as Pontiac bowed out with the surprisingly refined and competent G8 sedan, it seems like GM finally nailed it and produced something really gorgeous and compelling with the latest 9-5 sedan right before selling off the brand(Saab, you owe me big time for this plug!).

The new 9-5 really carries off the Nordic cleanliness that Saab should be about (clear influence from the stunning Aero X concept car can be seen throughout), while exuding the gravitas and presence that its German competitors have down to a science.  It's a pity that in both Saab and Pontiac's cases, the cumulative effects of years of mismanagement proved too great a burden to be saved by one great design. 

You don't see that many brand new Saabs on the road these days, but this 9-5 on the street in midtown stopped me in my tracks and took my breath away.  The stance, the detailing, the distinctive look. They really got this one right, at least from the outside. If Saab ever re-starts production, (they currently are so broke they can't pay their suppliers and are awaiting a government bailout in Sweden) it's a shame that Jason Castriota will probably ruin this understated, elegant new brand language before it even can spread across the whole product line. I'm glad GM survived the "carpocalypse" but it's a shame that Saab might be robbed of its potential as a result.

Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?

I can never understand how people just walk by cool cars without even breaking their stride...

This red 912 was parked on Broadway, right by ABC Carpet. Very cool!

Video of the week: Clark and Hill Debut the Sensational Lotus 49!

This fantastic promotional video on the Lotus 49's maiden victory is well worth a watch!  Historians remember the Dutch GP of 1967 as one where Jim Clark won in a car he had never even driven before the race weekend.  Watching this video, one is reminded that Graham Hill not only qualified on pole, but was leading the race until a mechanical failure put him out of contention.  Clark might have been holding back at the start, but once Hill was out, he poured on the speed, taking the innovative new car and brand new Ford DFV engine to victory right out of the box!

I love the moment at 6:32 where Hill, now out of the race, pats the engine's designer Keith Duckworth on the shoulder as if to say "No worries, mate! We'll get her right!"

Frank Stella BMW M1 goes on the block at Bonhams this August

It's times like this I wish I was a Russian oligarch.  Or any sort of oligarch for that matter.  In addition to the famous BMW 3.0 CSL that Frank Stella painted in graph paper livery for BMW's Le Mans assault in 1976, he also apparently painted an M1 on private commission in 1979.  This makes the M1 in question the only BMW Art Car that will ever be available for private sale, since all the others reside in BMW's permanent collection.  Even more curious is that this painted M1 was in the Guggenheim's collection since 1999, but it was never displayed, as far as I know, except to be driven in 2003 for an exhibition run.  With an estimate of $450,00-$600,00 I'd say this car is a bargain by Art auction standards.

Via the NY Times Wheels Blog

Upper photo credit: Phil Patton

Classy and Glassy: Transparent Tailgates of the 70s

I really love some of the 70s cars that have transparent tailgates. Sure they aren't safe, and sure they are vulnerable to even a minor parking mishap.  But boy are they cool!   It's interesting to note that this concept has recently returned to vogue somewhat with hybrid vehicles, going back to the first generation Honda Insight.