Cars that make Me go Hmmm… Independance Day Edition

Sage advice at any time

Welcome Back

This time out, I have a few quick clicks from around town, some things found on the internets and visit to the Climb to the Clouds 2011. Hit the jump for more…

A rather lahge rear end for a Vee-Dub

First up is this singular image taken whilst crossing the Casco Bay Bridge. For those not familiar with this visage, it is the rear end of  VW Phaeton. I caught a rear 3/4 glimpse in traffic and endeavored to get a closer look. Sadly, this is as close as I could get. I note the California plate. I have never seen a Maine registered Phaeton.

Perhaps the rarest modern VW to be found in the US. Introduced in 2002, it represents VW’s semi successful attempt to enter the ‘super premium’ auto market which had long been the sole domain of companies such as Mercedes, Audi and Jaguar. It was the brainchild of Ferdinand Piëch, the strong willed Chairman of the Board and grandson of Ferdinand Porsche. Many consider the Phaeton to be Piëch’s answer to Mercedes decision to enter the European A class business which was one of VW’s strongest markets.

In American trim it boasted an immensely complex W-12 engine of 6.0 litres producing a whopping 600 bhp.

The Volkswagen W-12 engine

Sporting Wolfsburg’s 4-Motion all wheel drive, 5 or 6 peed automatics and a 4 zone climate control system, the Phaeton was a high tech cruiser which easily swallowed 4 people and all the baggage they could muster.

With a mere 2750 units sold in the US between 2003 and 2006, the Phaeton was destined to be a flop. VW, wisely, pulled the plug in the US after the 2005 model year.  The car is still sold in Europe.

Next up, we have news from the land of automotive stupidity.

When Audi resurrected the Bugatti name with the Veyron, I thought they had proven themselves capable of meeting the technological challenge whilst missing the stylistic mark completely. A 1000 bhp, 250+mph auto is nothing to sneeze at, even at a million dollars or more each.

Since then, Bugatti has proven themselves quite handy at making ever more unique and expensive versions of the Veyron that are quickly sold out. As the production of the model comes to an end, they have brought us what I think has to be the dumbest version yet. Can you say “Porcelain”?

Ahhh...Urrr...Umm... Really?

Did I mention it has porcelain fittings inside and out from Konigliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin (KPM)?
No.?
Well, I must have mentioned it sells for 2.3 million dollars right?
And all the copies are sold?

As my father would say, “more money that smarts”…

Another interesting find in my fair city was this ride seen at my local hardware store.

A rare Volvo indeed

Behold, the Volvo 780 Bertone Coupe. The descendant of the famed 262C this was Volvo’s second attempt at dressing a staid Swedish car in a fancy Italian suit. In my mind, it was not as stylistically successful as the 262C

With 175 turbo charged horsepower, it was no barn stormer but it did decently for itself.  Total production was around 8700 units world wide thus making it a rare bird indeed.

Emblem also seen on Fiat’s, Ferrari’s, Alfa Romeo’s and more.

Finally, I close with some imagery from last week’s 2011 Climb to the Clouds. The first running of the famed hill climb in 10 years was a must see for me. A close friend and I drove up on Saturday and had a wonderful time.  Here are a few highlights.

Seen in the parking lot

Could be the best car there. 1973 or 74 911 RS 3.0. Sporting a cage, racing seats, 1974 Le Mans  entry sticker and a Brumos badge. This seemed like the real deal.

Nuff Said

Yeah. I said Race Truck

Mike Ryan’s Freightliner Cascadia Race Truck. Mike is a stunt driver who is regularly seen on Mythbusters. He normally competes at Pike Peak but chose to come to the Mountain this year.

Kurtis 500

Kim Eastman’s 1953 Kurtis 500S.  Love the headlight covers.

Wells Coyote

The famed Wells Coyote hill climb car.

A working interior

Interior of the Last Ditch Racing WRX Subaru

1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Zagato

1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Zagato ex Tazio Nuvolari. Driven by the Flying Mantuan at Le Mans that year. These cars change hands for multiples of millions now. This one came off the mountain after every run and went right into a carrier out of sight. The only car doing so.

Author with John Buffum

Lastly, the shot above is yours truly with rally legend John Buffum. I had no idea he would be there and would shake my hand and sign an autograph. Made my day

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