Autoblog

Event Alert: December Calendar of Automotive Events

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Misc. Auto Shows, Event Alert

As we slowly emerge from our Thanksgiving food comas, we can start gearing up for more holiday food, family, and fun in December, with an automotive twist. We can also look forward to the real beginning of the auto show season with the first major American show, the LA Auto Show. There are also some smaller shows like the New England Auto Show in Boston, and the conclusion of the San Francisco International Auto Show at the Moscone Center.

All of the major motorsports seasons have concluded, but there will be plenty of silly season news to cover. There are small concours and special events going on in December as well -- The 2nd Spirit of Competition Awards Dinner at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum, East Coast Indoor Nationals at the Maryland State Fairgrounds, Gulf Coast Motor Sports Holiday Cruisin Southern Style, 8th Annual Kustom Kulture Show in Anaheim, CA, and the 4th Annual Family Picnic and carnival at The Petersen Automotive Museum in LA,

There will also be a slew of Toys for Tots-type charity car shows as we head into the Holidays. We'll be returning to two of our favorites, the 6th Annual Motor4Toys event, and the 6th Annual Toys for Tots Drive hosted by the Schnuerer family in Huntington Beach, CA, but there are many more such events going on all around the country. Check your local paper for more and if you come across any, feel free to post details and links in the comments.

If none of those events appeal to you, check out our Google Calendar after the jump for even more listings, all with detailed info and links. And please use the comments section to add or modify listings.

Continue reading Event Alert: December Calendar of Automotive Events

Event Alert: December Calendar of Automotive Events originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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200 mph supercars featured at the 2nd Annual Caruso Concours

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Audi, Bugatti, Dodge, Ford, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Misc. Auto Shows, Ferrari

2nd Annual Caruso Concours - Click above for our high-res image gallery courtesy Greg Grudt

The 2nd Annual Caruso Concours was held this past weekend at The Americana at Brand shopping center in Glendale, California. Put off a bit by threatening skies, we didn't make it out there ourselves, but luckily, Autoblog friend and shutterbug Greg Grudt was there to capture all of the excitement for us. This sophomore outing was once again put on by The Petersen Automotive Museum, and as was the case last year, a brace of incredible vehicles showed up to this fitting but unorthodox locale. Showgoers could peruse the cars for a bit and then pick up a Tiffany necklace on their way out.

This year's gathering focused on supercars - in particular, supercars capable of 200 mph. Not meant to be an exhaustive showing of double-century barrier breakers, it nonetheless attracted an impressive array of cars capable of close to, if not over, the magic mark. The fun part was just seeing them all together in one place. Judging by Grudt's images, it looks like the Americana also happens to be hosting a few of those Toyota solar sunflowers, which made for an interesting juxtaposition.

Supercars right off the showroom floor mingled with old-timers from as far back as the Eighties. For instance, the display included not just the Bugatti Veyron, but also its forebearer, the EB110. The list of cars in attendance read like a roster of World's Fastest Cars contenders. Ferrari was represented by an Enzo, F50, F40, 288GTO, 16M, and a SuperAmerica. The Lamborghini cluster was comprised of an LP670-SV, LP640-4, LP560-4 and even a Countach. There was also a Mercedes-McLaren SLR, CLK DTM, Ford GT, Dodge Viper, Cizeta V16t, Maserati MC12, Nissan GT-R, Audi R8, and even a Jaguar XJ220, which complemented the long flowing bodywork of the adjacent Maser quite nicely. They even dragged out the AREX Concept which was supposed to be good for 214 mph.

All-in, it appears to have been a great way to bring exotics to the people. Be sure to check out Greg's pics in the gallery, and check out a larger gallery by clicking here.

Gallery: 2nd Annual Caruso Concours

Photos copyright (C)2009 Greg Grudt/Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: socalspeedzone.com]

200 mph supercars featured at the 2nd Annual Caruso Concours originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: Art Arfons' Green Monster LSR car

Frank Filipponio — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 16:54:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Auctions

Art Arfons' Green Monster - Click above for high-res image gallery

Are you the kind of guy who thinks top speed is everything? Want car that can be called the fastest thing on wheels without exaggerating? Think a Veyron is fast? How about a Top Fuel dragster? At 320 mph, nobody would call one slow, but it wouldn't be half as fast as the car we have for you today. It's a genuine Land Speed Record (LSR) car that has done 650 mph! Is that fast enough for ya, slick? Well, it was fast enough for one guy named Slick, who topped 650 mph with the car at Bonneville in 1978.

Based on the Green Monster that the legendary, jet-engine-pioneering Art Arfons built and raced in the '60s, this eBay Motors offering was built from the pieces of that three-time record holder after it was crashed by Arfons in 1966. Art had already run 576+ in the car but crashed trying for more. After rebuilding the Green Monster, minus its adjustable front wing, Arfons never raced it again, instead selling it to Slick Gardner who ran it frequently, ultimately topping 650 mph in 1978.

According to the listing, it features a 15,000-pound thrust, 17,500 horsepower General Electric J-79 jet engine from a B-58 Hustler bomber that Arfons bought for $5,000. When Arfons repaired and tested the engine, it "rattled windows over a wide area and incinerated his chicken coop." It has a padded cell for a cockpit (but no straightjacket as far as we can tell) and it rides on LSR grooved steel wheels. The car currently resides in the parking garage at The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, and the the bidding so far has failed to reach the reserve at just $51,100.

Gallery: Art Arfons' Green Monster

[Source: eBay Motors]

eBay Find of the Day: Art Arfons' Green Monster LSR car originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 Sep 2009 16:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AB's Night at the Museum: The 15th Annual Petersen Automotive Museum Gala

Frank Filipponio — Sat, 09 May 2009 17:05:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Bugatti, Rolls-Royce, Celebrities

Click above for a huge gallery of pics from our night at the museum

Last night we got the chance to live out a lifelong fantasy of sorts when we attended The 15th Annual Petersen Automotive Museum Gala. The theme this year was California Dreaming, and along with several woodys and Cal-cool hot rods, there were tons of Hawaiian shirts around to support the cause. This year's fundraising event honored Tom McKernan of the Auto Club of Southern California (aka AAA), with a private concert by Brian Wilson and his band. While the party was being staged upstairs, we were free to wander around the downstairs exhibits in near isolation. It was almost like that childhood dream of being locked in a museum overnight by ourselves. Fortunately, Ben Stiller never showed up, but we did get a chance to say hello to Ashley and John Force, Rita Moreno, Tom Selleck and Billy Gibbons, among others. Follow the jump to read the rest of the story and don't forget to check out the gallery as well.

Gallery: 15th Annual Petersen Gala

Continue reading AB's Night at the Museum: The 15th Annual Petersen Automotive Museum Gala

AB's Night at the Museum: The 15th Annual Petersen Automotive Museum Gala originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 09 May 2009 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Petersen Museum celebrating 15th with Gala honoring Brian Wilson, Tom McKernan

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 01 May 2009 08:35:00 EST

Filed under: Event Alert

One of the greatest automotive museums in the world is celebrating its 15th birthday this year. The Petersen Automotive Museum was founded in 1994 and instantly became pilgrimage for car lovers of all ages. Right in the heart of Los Angeles, it proudly took its spot among the dozens of museums, architectural masterpieces and cultural attractions along the city's Miracle Mile.

Besides its large permanent collection, the Petersen also hosts revolving exhibits and special events. Their annual Gala charity fundraiser has turned into a must-attend event for anyone who's anyone in the car biz. This year's theme is "California Dreaming" and the Gala will honor Grammy-award-winning musician Brian Wilson and Tom McKernan, Chief Executive Officer of the Automobile Club of Southern California. Past honorees at the Gala have included Carroll Shelby, Barry Meguiar, and Chip Foose, among others.

To show just why he's truly deserving of this honor, Brian Wilson and his band will perform some of his best known hits including "Little Deuce Coupe," "409," and "Fun Fun Fun." Meanwhile McKernan is being honored because of his many contributions to the automotive industry and Southern California motorists over his forty years of service. He also happens to be an avid car collector.

NHRA racing commentator, David McClelland, will reprise his role as master of ceremonies during the Gala, which will include a cocktail reception, an auction, and dinner. Individual tickets and tables are still available. This year's Gala will take place at the museum on Thursday, May 7. For additional info, check out the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Petersen Museum celebrating 15th with Gala honoring Brian Wilson, Tom McKernan

Petersen Museum celebrating 15th with Gala honoring Brian Wilson, Tom McKernan originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 May 2009 08:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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