It being the weekend, take an hour and a half to watch the story of how Porsche became a force in top-end “prototype” endurance racing once again (as opposed to just racing 911s in lower classifications).
Even though the video has been produced with all the pizazz of a corporate PR release, note the passion and dedication.
This is probably the best and most honest look at why we buy stuff — in this case specifically, Porsche cars — and it’s only a little over 20 minutes long.
I like everything about this video: the maker’s almost child-like curiosity, the lack of humbug and the dawning realization of what, exactly, Porsche is all about.
There’ll be a longer video appearing here tomorrow, on a more specific Porsche, but this is an excellent starter pack.
Enjoy.
Oh, and for a bonus in the video: Jay Leno absolutely skewers Ferrari.
In this little exercise of traveling along a couple of scenic U.S. roads accompanied by a beautiful woman, my choice was super-easy:
Are you kidding me? A gorgeous freckled redhead and a 60s-era Ferrari? Who were the others, again?
Many moons back, I set up a scenario wherein you were going to drive around Italy with a beautiful woman, in a beautiful car. (For those of shorter memory, or who missed it, here’s the premise.)
So here’s another one, closer to home. The route I’ve chosen looks like this: east-west along U.S. Highway 50, then a cut south before Cinci and Lexington (because ugh), then westward eastward along U.S. Route 70 to the Atlantic. Starting point is Winchester VA (red dot #1) and the finishing point is wherever Dot #2 is, on the coast.
I’ve done the U.S. 50 bit myself before, and it’s beautiful. I’ve done a little bit of U.S. 70 (from Nashville to Charlotte), and it’s also lovely. The road is twisty, the atmosphere romantic, and the scenery beautiful — from open fields to forested mountain passes.
The whole trip should take about 5-6 days, about 7 nights — because this isn’t a race.
So here are the choices (and remember, no switching around; the choices are as set down), and the women are as pictured, not how they would look today. And yes, assume a little romance along the way.
Choice #1: 1965 AC Cobra and Dita Von Teese
Choice #2: 1965 Shelby Mustang and Kelly Brook
Choice #3: 1956 T-bird and Lynda Carter 
Choice #4: 1961 E-type and Liz Hurley:
Choice #5: 1959 Mercedes 190 SL and Laura Linney 
Choice #6: 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB-4 Spider and Amy Adams
Your choice in Comments; I’ll tell you mine tomorrow.
It’s not often that one sees something of such beauty, such an exquisite heritage and all the things that givee petrol-heads / piston-heads a headache, and an overwhelming desire to possess.
Well then, how about this 1951 Maserati A6G/2000 AC Frua Spyder:
Here’s the whole story of the car; and yes, forget the price, as you would for an original Monet painting. Rather, just marvel at the artistry.
As a rule, I change the wallpaper on my laptop to no set schedule, and it depends on my mood at the time as to which new one I select. This Alan Fearnley pic, however, will probably stay there for quite some time… (right-click to embiggen)
