Category Archives: Classic Cars

Spring has finally sprung in Toronto

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Spring is finally here in Toronto and the last two weekends were our first taste of the good weather after another brutal winter. Hopefully you have been able to get the summer rides out of storage and were out cruising at some point.

hot rod

1957 Chevy

With the great weather comes the opportunity to show your ride off while also checking out other enthusiast events. To help mark your calendars this year we have put together a short list (apologies if we have missed things) of some of the key auto events happening in Toronto and surrounding area:

Classic car events:

 European car club/cruise events:

 Exotics:

 Japanese car/Tuner events:

 Cruise nights/Weekly Meets:

 Charity car events:

Please contact us if you want your event included – redlinenorth@gmail.com

 

Only in Japan…..

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Petrolicious has published a cool story about Nissan’s creative advertising style in the early days around its flagship sport coupe the Nissan Skyline.  It all began in the 1970s with a young and “in love” caucasian couple exploring Japan in their new coupe. Honestly, you watch this ad now and it’s hard to believe this was ever popular anywhere but having lived in Japan at one time I understand their affinity to anything Western.

Nissan built on this 70s love theme and in the 80s embraced Paul Newman as he became the new face of the Skyline brand as a result of his racing exploits with Nissan US.

I had no idea Paul Newman hustled Skylines and I bet not many people in North America know either.  I always thought Paul Walker was the first Hollywood actor to love the Skyline. Well, you really do learn something new everyday.

Paul Walker Skyline

Carroll Shelby Goes Racing

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To keep with our recent racing theme we stumbled upon some amazing old video from the 1960’s narrated by Carroll Shelby. The video covers a brief history of Carroll’s racing career along with footage of legendary drivers Pete Brock, Ken Miles and Dan Gurney testing the Mustang GT 350, AC Cobra and Ford GT at Willow Springs International Raceway.  Yes, the footage is 1000 times worse than what a 10-year-old can shoot with their smartphone, but that is not the point – this is an homage to the glory years of America’s racing prowess.

Crazy Rich Guy Skeet Shoots From Porsche 911 Targa

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We have to thank the gang over at Jalopnik for finding this one.  Not sure whether to love or hate the guy so I will let you decide but it’s unique nonetheless. I never would have thought skeet shooting and Porsche 911 Targa would be in the same sentence but alas it is here.

Toyota Reimagines Marty McFly’s Dream Truck with 2016 Tacoma

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Growing up as a kid in the 1980s the Back to the Future film franchise is part of your DNA. So it should be no surprise that we were interested in seeing what Toyota would do to capitalize on the 30th anniversary of the blockbuster film. Well, good on them for letting our imaginations go wild and for a brief moment let us dream of going to a dealer to order a 2016 Toyota Tacoma with the “1985” Marty McFly 4×4 look.

"Marty McFly" Toyota Tacoma

“Marty McFly” Toyota Tacoma

Unfortunately, it’s highly unlikely this beauty will ever see production, as it will likely end up in some auto museum along with all those other concepts that never come to life. Nevertheless, how cool would it be if they made a “Back to the Future” anniversary model with the 2016 Tacoma?  I would totally park it beside my “Fall Guy” GMC 2500 series…..

“Marty McFly” Toyota Tacoma

“Marty McFly” Toyota Tacoma

“Marty McFly” Toyota Tacoma

“Marty McFly” Toyota Tacoma

Photos courtesy of Toyota.

Goodwood Festival of Speed – 26th to 28th June 2015 – LIVE HD

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The Goodwood Festival of Speed, if it’s not on your bucket list, it should be since it is one of the top events an auto enthusiast can experience. Wrapping up today on the grounds of the immaculate Goodwood House, West Sussex, England, this three-day festival is an annual hill climb featuring historic motor racing vehicles of epic proportions.  This year’s line-up includes a variety of famous racing cars from eras past driven hard and fast around the famous estate’s private track.  As an homage to the racing stars of the past, the event brings together both auto and motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the world attracting on average 150,000 annual spectators.  To check out this incredible event you can watch live streaming on YouTube.  Happy viewing!

Going for a Rip in Richard Petty’s 200 MPH Plymouth Superbird

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With the Goodwood Festival of Speed just around the corner we wanted to show a cool video segment from our friend’s at Goodwood Road & Racing. They recently travelled across the pond to visit “The King” Richard Petty at his North Carolina headquarters as a warm-up to Richard attending the UK’s Festival of Speed at the end of June.

The trip appears to have been totally worth it because they got up close and personal with Richard and tour the shop with him as their guide. However, the real cherry on top came in the form of a ride along with Petty’s mechanic Larry who took Goodwood Road & Racing’s Andy out for an impromptu rip on the rural North Carolina roads in Petty’s decorated 1970 Plymouth “Superbird”.  Petty describes how the front and rear wings made the “Superbird” so stable and how it was near impossible to spin out driving the famous car.  Petty goes on to say that he has not driven the car since 1970 which seems like a real shame since we’d make it our daily grocery getter especially after hearing the epic sounds of its 625 horsepower. Make sure to turn up the volume for this one (scroll to 6:50 min)

Music to your Ears

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Talk about music to our enthusiasts’ ears! If you love cars you need to watch this symphony of sound. Nitto Tires has outdone themselves with this video montage showcasing some of the world’s most beautiful and rare automobiles roaring to life. The collection includes a total of 33 models ranging from vintage classics like early Mercedes and Porsches to a 1969 Jaguar E-Type and Austin Healey 3000 Mark III to the roar of the Lamborghini Aventador’s 6.5L V12.  Along the way there is the sonic sounds of the Saleen S7’s twin turbos and the exotic Pantera’s sloggy sounding V8. With the distinctive 60s Corvette and Camaro throaty muscle exhaust tying it all together.

For the average car enthusiasts the privilege to see these rare pieces of engineering is simply enough, but to hear each one come alive just puts things on a whole new level. Enjoy the beauty of these classic cars and turn up your speakers!

For those wanting to know the order of this musical genius here you are:

1. 2005 Ford GT
2. 2014 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4
3. 1964 Austin Healey 3000 Mark III
4. 2013 Vorsteiner McLaren MP4-12C
5. 1969 Jaguar E-Type
6. 2009 Mercedes Benz McLaren SLR
7. 1963 Ferrari 250GT Berlinetta Lusso
8. 2006 Saleen S7 Twin Turbo
9. 2014 Ferrari 458 Speciale
10. 1964 Porsche 356
11. 2002 Ferrari 360 Modena
12. 1957 Mercedes Benz 190 SL
13. 2013 Radical RXC
14. 2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed
15. 1967 Ford GT40 Mark III
16. 2009 Koenigsegg CCX
17. 1971 De Tomaso Pantera
18. 2013 Audi R8 V10
19. 1957 Jaguar XKSS
20. 1968 Chevrolet Camaro
21. 2007 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano
22. 1965 Ford Mustang
23. 2005 Carerra GT
24. 2014 Lamborghini Murcielago
25. 1974 Iso Grifo Iso Rivolta
26. 2014 Jaguar F-Type S Roadster
27. 1964 Porsche 901
28. 1967 Chevrolet Corvette
29. 2014 Vorsteiner Lamborghini Aventador-V LP-740
30. 2013 Mercedes Benz SLS AMG GT
31. 2010 Aston Martin DBS Carbon Black Edition
32. 1990 Ferrari F40
33. 2014 McLaren P1

Learn more about how the video was made here: bit.ly/1ylloE0

Special Thanks To Following Collections: Lamborghini Newport Beach, McLaren Newport Beach, Petersen Automotive Museum, The Breslow Collection

 

 

Canadian Star Trek “Boogie” Van is up for sale

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We could not pass up sharing this story that came out in a number of news outlets including Jalopnik and the Toronto Star recently.  A Vancouver man has put his 1978 GMC G15 Vandura “Boogie Van up for sale on Craigslist.

This is no ordinary van.  It’s covered with Star Trek themed murals including images of the cast mates of the original show along with a topless alien woman. Interestingly, the airbrushed designs were all painted by Toronto artist Gordon S. Roy in 1980.  I will let you come to your own decision on this one, but you do have to admit it seems like quite the vehicle for only $9500.

Star Trek van

Star Trek van

The Ultimate Redneck Ford Bronco

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The team over at Motor Trend’s Dirt Every Day, builds the coolest 4×4 trucks ever driven in the bush.  On a recent episode they have outdone themselves once again with an insane 1979 Ford Bronco which has been modified to house a Dillon Aero’s M134D Minigun in the back. Seriously, what is more bad ass than a “Redneck Bronco” with a gatling gun that can shoot 3-4,000 rounds per minute. Be sure to skip to 17:28 to check out the minigun in action.