Automobiliac Turns 4!

When I started writing this blog 4 years ago, I did it out of a deep frustration. I felt like I had no outlet to share my passion for cars with others. Living in New York City, it wasn't exactly easy to seek out other car-crazy people to be friends with.  I thought by starting a website, it might help me reach an audience of like-minded individuals all over the world. And I was right!  The past 4 years have been incredibly rewarding. Even though the site remains a hobby rather than a vocation, I feel very fortunate that I have made countless new friends in NYC and around the world--some of them now very dear--thanks to starting this site. Over these 4 years, I went from having adventures in one wonderful Italian car to owning three (more on that later), and have brought you my original images from car events across the world and written over 550 posts.

But there have been other changes in my life as well. When I began Automobiliac I was working in a design office, posting articles on coffee break or between meetings to have some fun at my desk. Like many bloggers, I found my site was a welcome distraction from my day job and allowed me to think about cars when I wasn't "supposed to."

But 2 years ago I started my own company and now I get to think about cars ALL THE TIME as part of my job!  If you weren't aware til this point, I started and run the company Autodromo, which makes watches and other accessories inspired by vintage motoring. And just like Automobiliac, this new venture has opened countless doors in the classic car world and ushered in many more new friends.

However the responsibilities of running my company have grown to the point where it is hard for me to post here as often as I'd like. And the fact that I can now think about cars all the time means that Automobiliac as a "release valve" for all my car related thoughts has ceased to be as critical. I have considered closing the site down, but in the end I have decided to continue forward. I won't be posting as often as I used to, but I promise there will be some great stuff to come this summer as I begin my first season of vintage racing with my recently acquired '59 Giulietta Spider Veloce race car (photos to come when we get her sorted out!) So please do keep coming to visit and I hope to have a few posts a month at very least that will be worth your time.

I just want to thank all of you for reading this site and for your comments, your submissions, your friendship and your encouragement over the past 4 years. It has been a great journey.

Lastly, if you want more frequent Automobiliac goodness, do follow my Autodromo instagram @Autodromomedia. There are a ton of great photos of cars and watches, and new ones nearly every day.

Sincerely,

Bradley Price (the automobiliac)

Loving the new Jaguar "Villains" campaign

Jaguar has a special place in my heart, but I feel it has been consistently mismanaged as a brand for many years--always struggling to find a narrative that is relevant to a younger American audience without reverting to English snob appeal. I think the latest "British Villains" campaign really hits the right balance. The new campaign emphasizes the Britishness of the brand heritage, as well as the sexiness and muscle in the latest products, all the while not taking itself too seriously. This mix of humor and suave cool are a winning combination, and I hope it really helps get Americans excited about Jaguar. Interestingly they are not running this campaign in England, according to my UK friends, who had no idea what I was talking about when I mentioned these ads in conversation.

And now your Alfa Romeo Moment of Zen

Or more like 3 minutes of zen.  HVR, is a custom restoration shop in Australia, who have crafted this breathtaking recreation of a 1939 6C 2300 MM.  I don't know if the car is based on a real period chassis and engine, or if it is 100% re-creation. But the result is undeniably spectacular, and HVR's artisans deserve a round of applause.

See their facebook build journal HERE

Truth is better than cinema

I watched Rush for a second time over my holiday vacation. And I have to say, nothing beats the actual race footage from the Japanese GP, 1976:

"No More Mr. Nice Guy"

Loving this 80s commercial for the Dodge Omni GLH, developed by Carroll Shelby. That car was a real wolf in sheeps clothing.