Euroberge Issue 9

EUROBERGE fall ‘10 - issue 9 TEA TIME IN THE ROCKIES MINIS CONQUER COLORADO

All NEW NAUGHTY 2011 VOLVO S60

WHAT IS APERTURE? BRING ON THE BLUR

Photo by:Alex Martinez Camera: Canon Rebel XS Aperture: f/5.0 Shutter Speed: 1/20 sec Focal length: 13 mm ISO: 320

Staff Richard Melick Editor in Chief Erik Melander Photography Editor Aaron Crooks Design Editor Mike Selander Photographer Alex Martinez Photographer Brendan McDonald Detailer Ryan Schnell Contributing Writer Ian Cole Contributing Writer Kellin Goldsmith Business Managment Roland Haas Forum Marketing Contributers Chuck Maybee MITM Josh Youngberg DATR Nicole Frank Nu Vintage Bug-In Issue 9 is dedicated to our close family and friends who have put up with all the extended hours and event packed weekends. The cover is a comemorative to our first issue, following the initial format and using the original font in celebration of our two years running.

Photos taken by Mike Se-

Contents Fall 2010 :: Issue 9

2 year Anniversary Edition

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Tea time in the Rockies 10

A whole lot of little cars

Legendary Drive 18

An exotic tour of the Rockies

Dubs along the Rockies 28

In the shadow of Pikes Peak

What is the ‘Naughty Volvo’? 36

EuroBerge’s first look at the S60

Bentley Drop Top 44

Not your mom’s convertible

Claying like a pro 51

Paint as smooth as silk

Nu Vintage Bug-In 56

The classics come out to play

WestFest: A show with a cause 62

Meals on Wheels put on a show

Photographer’ Corner: Aperture 70 Bring on the blur

Photo by: Aaron Crooks Camera: Canon EOS 20D Aperture: f/1.8 Shutter Speed: 1/640 sec Focal length: 50 mm ISO: 100

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Colorado: It’s time to rebrand the state

Well, another show season over with for 2010, and now it is time for the clubs and organizers to reflect back on everything that happened, sift through all the feedback, and start planning for next year. And as I look back at all the shows EuroBerge attended and the comments we received about the events, it is hard for myself to think of anything else other than the fact that next year is going to need big improvement. Yes, there were some great shows, some amazing drives, and fun weekends, but overall, the general feeling coming out of the summer seems to be disappointment.

This is no attack on any individual, show, or group, but more of a public service announcement as an observer. If the Colorado European motoring scene does not improve its image over the next few years, it will just continue to suffer to mediocrity that many have grown accustomed to, eventually just collapsing inward and burning many people out. And these re-image needs to happen on all levels, from the basic club to the largest of shows.

One of the biggest steps that should be addressed is the clarification of the image of the individual shows. I was inundated with e-mails and messages from show organizers to visit their production, many of which claiming to be the oldest or the largest, when in fact the actual numbers didn’t add up to reflect their claims. These claims are not just limited to shows, with many forum-based clubs having similar claims. And honestly, it needs to end.

Yes, be proud of where you have come from and responsibly support your cause, but if these claims have not helped to produce the image that is necessary, an image that is unique to your own show or club, then it is time to look forward to the future and present the next version. Just as we all update our vehicle’s image, the scene itself needs to change with time.

Before claiming blasphemy, this is not saying that there are not positive aspects of the scene; that the clubs have not provided positive or beneficial avenues, nor that any specific show was bad or poorly executed - but more that the overall picture that have been painted of the Colorado automotive excitement is incomplete and dated.

So now it is time to take up the challenged to change the expected boredom and average follow-through. In years past, we have had spectacles that have been talked about on a national level, bringing in people from hundreds of miles to enjoy what we had to offer.

Let us bring back that amazing image, making each extravaganza a remembered journey and destination and not just an mundane event. Effort to produce each show as its own separate entity should be the norm, having it feel like its own soul. Instead of emulating the coastal scene, let us grab the bull by the horn and put Colorado at the forefront of the trends and what’s desired by attendees and participants.

Colorado is the new frontier for the European motoring enthusiast’s world, and with this uncharted ground is the ability to do something completely different, so much more amazing than years past, setting ourselves apart from what we used to be. Take advantage of the mountain resorts, look to the vineyards and foothill farms, wander the national parks; use Colorado as your inspiration to stand out., In other words, stop being the same as everyone else and start doing something that makes your show or club stand out.

Richard Melick Editor in Chief

summer 2010

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to by:Alex Martinez a: Canon Rebel XS Aperture: f/4.0 r Speed: 1/160 sec ocal length: 10 mm ISO: 200

Photo by:Mike Selander Camera: Nikon D200 Aperture: f/2.8 Shutter Speed: 1/50 sec Focal length: 24 mm ISO: 100 fall 2010

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MINI Conquers Colorado

Well it’s over, in the bag, finished and done.

The tents are down, boxes packed, sunburns faded and planning has begun anew for next year.

That said it will still take a while for some of us to recover and perhaps even longer for the smiles to fade. MINIs In The Mountains 2010 has been recorded in the books as a success.

It was a fantastic event with record numbers—324 MINIs and Minis participated in MITM 2010 and just over 600 people came to enjoy MINI5280.org’s annual mountain weekend escape. The weather was perfect, the mountains were awesome and Winter Park Resort proved to be extremely popular location. Walking through the weekend, here’s a synopsis of the highlights.

Wednesday August 11— Set up. The upper deck of the parking structure in Winter Park Resort was transformed into ‘Vendor City’ and an empty resort storefront was fashioned into MINI5280’s official check-in and informational command center.

Many MINI5280 volunteers made this work possible and they performed admirably. Already own10

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ers from across the country were filtering in and the resort got its first taste of the event to come.

Thursday August 12— Day one. Registration opened promptly at sunrise and the line stretched on for miles as parked vehicles spanned the entrance up Berthoud Pass. Shirts and goodie bags began flying out the door as more and more people showed up. Volunteers stepped into man registration tables, gather event badges and answer questions. Upstairs vendors were vending and shoppers were shopping—unfortunately the wind was also winding and a few tents were lost.

No enthusiasm was lost however as new tents were set up quickly and modified to handle the weather.

Rides were rode; Trail Ridge Road was found and concurred, Grand Lake was taken, Frazer fell and many a MINI tamed the local twisties. The car wash was up and MINIs bathed in the cold water and PRIMA products removing mountain dust and layer upon layer of road-kill bugs.

Then in the afternoon the MINI Takes the States

Article By Chuck Maybee Photos By Alex Martinez and Erik Melander

I love you, I really do. Your involvement in my love of automobiles is immeasurable, especially considering the amazing vehicles you have produced in the past.

From the ever-so-famous MK1 GTI to the new TDI powered Touaregs, I do love what you have done over the years, especially when it comes to most of the designs.

Recently though, I received photos from your press office of the MK6 Jetta that will be gracing our shores in 2011, and to be honest, I don’t see it. Honestly, it’s more of the everyday design that is seen in Corollas, Accords, and Malibus. There is nothing about this new design that is really sticking out to me, and I am sure I am not the only one. I get the idea that you need to design cars for a mature audience, but that does not mean you have to resort to blandness.

With the MK5, I do feel the design has lost touch with it’s uniqueness that was so eclectic of the Jetta line. What happened when you had the chance to fix this and present something new? Did you fall asleep at the wheel and wake up too late to actually continue on with the unique touch? This refreshed Jetta, which fall 2010

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MITM

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Photo by:Alex Martinez Camera: Canon Rebel XS Aperture: f/8.0 Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec Focal length: 10 mm ISO: 200

MITM

(MTTS) westen caravans joined in our fun bringing another 250 MINIs from our left coast and the car wash was full again.

That night a combined force of MITM and MTTS raided the town of Winter Park. Police were called in to direct traffic and guide parking while town folk gathered by the side of the road and gaped in amazed expression as over 200 MINIs ripped through town at speeds approaching 5 mph. Utilizing every available parking space, the MINI enthusiasts loaded the main drag of the small mountain community with MINIs of all colors. Small children shrieked with excitement, young women swooned and old men began the ritual question— ”How is your gas mileage?” After parking, the drivers and passengers walked to Hideaway Park to enjoy an evening of eclectic music featuring the band Hunker Down.

Friday August 13— Day two. In the brisk early morning air a car show fell into place along the Winter Park’s walkways. Forty-one vehicles fought for the attention of judges and the six categories of awards. Hundreds of people swarmed the show MINIs and thousands of times the ritual question was asked and answered—”How is your

gas mileage?”

Then MTTS provided us with a chance to ride the lifts to the Sunspot Lodge for a lunch of barbeque. Over 550 MITM and MTTS participants went up the steep slope to the breathtaking views of the lodge where the food quality was rated exceptional and the quantity was more than sufficient. This activity was then followed by an equally steep decent just in time for a group photo.

The group photos captured over 250 MINIs and their associated occupants. While the photo had been planned for a huge paved lot near the Vintage Hotel it turned out the paved part of the description was actually in progress so plan B was quickly implemented. After formulating plan B (involving 3 dirt lots completely violating our “No Dirt” guideline) the hordes of MINIs were redirected and lined-up. Our fearless photographer was stuffed into a bucket lift and perched 50 feet in the air; many snaps were taken as MINI owners and riders waved, hooted and hollered for the camera. Then the boys and girls attending MTTS mounted up and headed down to Denver to do their planned activities while the rest of us headed for a well earned drinking opportunity sponsored fall 2010 13

Saturday August 14— Day three. Quite a few MITM participants gathered in the morning and headed down to MTTS to hang with the 500 plus MINIs from across the county. This meant the rest of us could enjoy the day in the cool of altitude knowing that Denver was to reach 98 degrees. More rides were taken to Steamboat Springs, Lake Granby and Loveland Pass. MINIs came and went all day but by nightfall everyone had journeyed back. That night 20 MINIs traveled to Mt. Evans and scaled its heights by moon light.

A higher power ensured all 20 made it back.

Sunday August 15— Tear down. Early morning activity as the vendor area was taken down and stowed. Tables and chairs were folded and the check-in storefront packed up. MINI5280 volunteers proved their worth and a new speed record was set. All was done just in time for a final ride up the slopes to the Sunspot Lodge for a departing brunch sponsored by MINI of Loveland.

Again the food was ample and tasty, made all the more so by the stunning vistas stretched out below us. A few words were spoken, dignitaries were introduced and much needed thanks passed around. Finally after handing out the awards from

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the NUF car show and many, many goodbyes given, the conclusion of MINIs In The Mountains 2010 was at hand.

The club would like to thank the numerous volunteers that made this event possible as well as the members of the planning committee and the Resort staff. Would specifically want to recognize the following club members that sacrificed a good bit of time to make this event successful:

MITM 2010 Planning Committee Ms. Ingrid Fleming; Ms. Shannon Hunter; Mr. Chuck Maybee; Mr. Don Suiter Public and Vendor Relations Mr. Rich Craighill; Mr. John Paulsen Rides and Routes Mr. Michael Bush; Mr. Whitlow Wong; Mr. Don Suiter NUF! Car Show Mr. Jonathan Souza Winter Park Resort Mr. Gary DeFrange; Ms. Molly Turk; Ms. Shanna Ganne

Photo by:Brendan McDonald Camera: Canon Rebel T1i Aperture: f/1.8 Shutter Speed: 1/50 sec Focal length: 50 mm ISO: 400

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Photo by:Alex Martinez Camera: Canon Rebel XS Aperture: f/4.0 Shutter Speed: 1/160 sec Focal length: 10 mm ISO: 200

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Photo by:Alex Martinez Camera: Canon Rebel XS Aperture: f/4.0 Shutter Speed: 1/160 sec Focal length: 10 mm ISO: 200

Photo by: Brendan McDonald Camera: Canon Rebel T1i Aperture: f/4.5 Shutter Speed: 30 sec Focal length: 18 mm ISO: 200 fall 2010 17

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“We don’t have the police on the payroll!” exclaimed Didier Theys, a two-time winner of the renowned Daytona 24-hour endurance race and the lead instructor for World Class Driving.

This bit of advice was given to an anxious group of car enthusiasts waiting to get behind the wheel of $1.5 million dollars worth of some of the fastest and most exclusive supercars in the world. It was a perfect Saturday afternoon in my hometown of Vail, Colorado and my brave sister and I were set to drive a lineup that included a Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, Ferrari F430, Bentley Continental Supersports and an Audi R8 V10.

The event, part of the 2010 World Class Driving U.S. Tour, started off with a short presentation that touched on everything from the route we would take (Highway 131 North to Steamboat) to event rules – stay 200 yards behind the car in front of you, no stereo’s or cell phones, follow the lead car, traction control on and no aggressive maneuvers. My favorite rule was the no stereo. Who needs music when you can listen to the 20 euroberge

sounds of a 611 HP hand built Ferrari V12?

Theys also briefed the group on how to shift each cars paddle- shift transmissions. That’s right; every car I tested came equipped with each manufacture’s latest and greatest paddleshifting technology. Left click to request a downshift, right click to up-shift. And whatever you do, don’t ever lift your foot off the throttle to upshift. Why didn’t I get more instructions like this growing up?

After the brief intro we all funneled outside to get our first glimpse of the rainbow colored array of supercars that awaited us. One by one everyone in the group took turns posing for pictures and gasping after seeing each car up close and personal. I could hear random “oohhs & ahhs” as we anxiously circled the cars, waiting for our chance to sample a taste of engineering excellence.

My sister and I quickly determined who was driving what and I ended up with the Lambo and two Ferrari’s, while she got the R8 and the Bentley.

I jumped in the bright orange Lamborghini and found myself surrounded by a jaw dropping mix of suede- like alcantera everything, carbon fiber buckets that hug you and shinny aluminum materials throughout the cockpit. Two words - sensory overload. Suddenly, I found myself having trouble with executing a normal thought process. All I could think about was how fast I could go with this supercar and how far I could push the limits of adhesion.

We set off in parade like fashion and I had the honor of leading the pack out of the parking lot driving the Gallardo. Heads turned, people pointed, and I had a huge grin on my face.

I turned left onto the Avon onramp to merge onto I-70 westbound and put my right foot to the floor. Glorious sounds erupted from behind my head as the V-10 screamed its way to redline through all six gears. I quickly glanced over at my sister as she white knuckled the seat and said “should have grabbed my Valentine 1!” We exited the interstate at Wolcott and as I downshifted and waited to hear the computer induced blip of the throttle before selecting a lower gear, I giggled like a prepubescent boy who just watched his first episode of Baywatch.

Alas, after plenty of tight hairpins and faaaaassstttt straights it was time to pull it over and move on to my next dream car. As we came to the first pullout to swap cars I said my good-bye’s to the Lambo and welcomed my first of two Ferrari’s for the day - a bright red Ferrari F430 Coupe. I know, tough swap. The F430 was the athlete of the bunch. It was the lightest car and had the least amount of horsepower - 503 - but still delivered a fantastic driving experience. Shift after shift the sound of the Italian V8 behind my ears gave me the chills. I fall 2010 21

Check Footage of Ryan driving the Ferrari 599

have a new admiration of the passion behind these masterpieces from Maranello.

My grin continued as I took over driving duties behind the wheel of the 599 GTB Fiorano. What’s with the name you say? 599 indicates the supercar’s total engine displacement (5999 cc) and GTB – Gran Turismo Berlinetta. Fiorano is the famed marquee’s test track in Maranello, Italy. Due to the current market value of a 599, a representative from World Class Driving sat in for the ride and kindly videotaped the drive from two camera angles. One camera looked back at the driver from the A-pilar and one was center mounted between the seats. A highlight of driving the 599 was watching the shift indicator lights rapidly climb from left to right as I clicked off up-shifts with ease. I have always wondered what it would be like to be Michael Schumacher for a day and now I have a pretty good idea of how cool 22

his day job is. It’s hard to pick words to describe the experience, but it felt like I was in an F1 simulator on a twisty mountain road. Simply amazing.

The World Class Driving supercar tour stops at 50 cities across the US. The staff is top notch in every way and they are great at making you feel comfortable as you drive your dream cars. It’s one unbelievable day that leaves you with a permanent grin on your face and I left wondering if another automotive experience could ever top it. My bucket list just got a little bit shorter. -eb For more information on The US Supercar Tour contact World Class Driving at www.worldclassdriving.com or call 1-866-728-1485. fall 2010

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Photo by:Alex Martinez Camera: Canon Rebel XS Aperture: f/5.6 Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec Focal length: 10 mm 24 euroberge ISO: 200

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Photo by: Mike Selander Camera: Nikon D200 Aperture: f/2.8 Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec Focal length: 86 mm ISO: 100

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Dubs Along the Article by Josh Youngberg

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Photos by Erik Melander

Rockies

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As the summer comes to a close, many enthusiasts in the VW/Audi scene prepare for the last large show left on the calendar for the year, Dubs Along the Rockies.

Held once again at Pike’s Peak International Raceway in Fountain, Colorado, the ninth installment managed to bring people to the picturesque setting at the base of the Rocky Mountains for some of the best Audi and Volkswagen’s from the region. With the vehicles spanning the past five decades of Volkswagen Automotive Group’s manufacturing, there is always a car to satisfy the taste of any enthusiast that is in attendance. Dubs Along the Rockies also presented an event that not many other shows in the country offer; a fully sanctioned autocross event. When you combine the show with the autocross you have the chemistry one of the best show’s to attend nationally as there is always something to do or look at for the entire day.

With around over 2300 cars in attendance for just the show, there was definitely plenty for everyone to look at.

From Robin Held’s truly custom one off 1.8T swapped MKII GTI , to the daily drivers cleaned up for one last show, there was something representing every level of enthusiast . The level of customization varied between cars, as some want to go all out while others just left the car as it sits such as when they first got it. No matter the direction the owners chose to go with their vehicle, one thing is for certain, they all made sure their car looked its best for one of the larger Volkswagen and Audi shows of the year along the Colorado Front Range.

One of the main reasons DATR has been such a huge success is the support it has received from all of the local vendors and shops throughout the years. This year was no different with such sponsors as Bluewater Performance bringing out the turbo-charged MKIV and MKV R32s, to 3Zero3 Motorsports beautifully modified Audi RS4. Many sponsors said the main reason they continue to show support for DATR is the atmosphere that the show provides.

“DATR is always a good time, the whole venue and atmosphere really make it fun. There are some guys I only see once a year, only see them at that show, and that is what keeps me supporting DATR” said Hardey of Hardey’s Motorwerks in Parker, CO. So as another Colorado show year winds down for the Volkswagen and Audi community and another successful DATR in the books it’s time for the show cars to go into hiding until spring and the lightly modified cars to look for their next addition. Thus the cycle of the Volkswagen/Audi enthusiast continues year in and year out looking for that one little edge that sets their car apart from everyone else, only tempered by the calendar and those specific dates when they can show the world their pride and joy. -eb

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Photo by: Alex Martinez Camera: Canon Rebel XS Aperture: f/5.6 Shutter Speed: 1/25 sec Focal length: 20 mm ISO: 320

EuroBerge Merchandise

Show your support for EuroBerge with the purchase of EB branded products

Available at EuroBerge.com fall 2010

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WHAT EXACTLY IS

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S THE

Article and Photos by Richard Melick

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all new naughty | VOLVO S60

Volvo has been on a restyling roll as of late. This is not just referring to the restyling of older models, but more of a restructured image of the company itself. It seems that more and more it is moving away from the safety-conscience designs and advertising plans that once held the company strong, and is headed down the road to something a more aggressive. Yes, they have always made amazing subdued vehicles, come of which still command a pretty penny today, but it is the new vehicles that are really defining the roll that Volvo will play in the coming years as a reborn auto manufacturer.

Enter the all-new designed Volvo S60, with a turbocharged 3.0-liter engine, making an estimated 300 hp and 325 ft-lb of torque. The chassis and suspension has been intended to provide more of a true driver’s feel, very different from the characteristics of vehicles past. The interior is keeping with similar designs from the XC60 and C30, where functionality and an art-deco styling clash into an elegant instrument cluster and seating arrangement.

All the gauges and knobs are clearly marked and defined, within easy reach, and the audio/video system in the back seats look cleanly molded into the headrests. Everything inside the car was designed with comfort in mind, and as usual, Volvo hit the nail right on the head.

The front and rear seats are comfortable and spacious, and could hold onto the passenger firmly, even with enough room in the back seat for my 6ft-2in frame to fit comfortably. All four seats had a good amount of support, building more on the image that this car will be able to

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all new naughty | VOLVO S60

take corners with some gusto. And it can happily be reported that gone is the plasticy feel of many Volvos past, specifically first being part of Ford, and in is a new soft feel dash, soft, comfortable leather, and fitting elegance. Sadly though, this was all only checked out in the parked position as the opportunity to drive the new car did not present itself.

Now, this is an impressive vehicle on paper, as it has all the creature comforts man y buyers would look for in a new car, as well as the power and handling characteristics that would make it a great driving vehicle, especially on the mountain roads. This car’s exterior is an excellent interpretation of the classic Volvo lines, and also keeps with the total sleeper image that has been so prevalent in many cars past. This car fits in well with the new market of luxury European sedans, easily being compared to the new Audi A4 and BMW 3-series in terms of comfort, luxury, and performance.

Here is where hesitation kicks in. This car looks like a normal luxury sedan, with tons of features and a sense of elegance about it.

The car is not bland, but also does not stand out enough for someone who does not know what it is to know about its performance, and yet Volvo has been advertising it as the ‘Naughty Volvo’.

What is so naughty about this car, other than the bright orange color? It has the performance and grace that many buyers have come to expect, on top of keeping with tradition of safety over performance (but not much over). This new S60 fit’s perfect within the tradition of Volvos past, so why have they attempted to break the façade than many drivers enjoyed when they drove this car? To market a vehicle as a sleeper, saying it is naughty and such; does that not defeat the purpose? Now you pull up and someone already knows what used to be a ‘cool trade secret’, and honestly, there is no fun in that, no matter how awesome the car is.

Let’s be honest. This is one amazing vehicle, but to base the full marketing plan on showing the world it is a wolf in sheep’s clothing is like seeing the beautiful librarian from your college at the dance club the same night. It takes away a bit of the mystery, and there is no fun in that. -eb

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Two years of pure Colorado

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thank you for your support! fall 2010

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Bentley Contenental S

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Supersports Convertible Article and Photos by Erik Melander

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Carving out a foldable roof line out of a performance coupe can be risky business. Upsetting the body lines of an aerodynamic marvel and excessive added weight can utterly destroy a vehicle’s attitude towards its enthusiasts and lose following. So when Bentley Denver invited EuroBerge to see the new Supersports Convertible, thoughts of tampering a ‘good-thing’ quickly ran through our mind.

Welcomed at the Lakewood County Club, the linen-covered spectacle was parked in between two of its hard-topped brethren. After some short words on the cars design work, the sheet was lifted to reveal the seamless work of Bentley’s engineering and manufacturing team.

On the exterior displayed Bentley’s new solid paint color Citric; described best like the peeling of a juicy lemon. The convertible sheet metal is virtually the same as the coupe below the belt-line. The rag-top shares the same widen rear quarter panels for the increase rear track, smoked steel finish on door and window seals along with the front grills, and black shrouds for the dual bi-xenon headlights.

The convertible top is five layers thick, and the side windows are a dual-glass pane with a center laminate bond; these attributes keep the cabin noise on par with the hardtop coupe. The hardtop’s lower rear-window pop-up spoiler has been removed and replaced with a fixed spoiler on the rear deck lid, as the top requires to be retracted into the front section of the trunk. Front and rear side marker were absent on the bodywork and euro plate tubs were fasten to fascias as the car is a European delivery model.

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The convertible shares the same powertrain from its hardtop counterpart – 6.0-liter, twelve-cylinder, twin-turbocharged and intercooled engine that pumps out 621 horsepower and 590 ftlbs. The engine configuration is a derivation of the Audi’s “W12”, where the cylinders are staggered condensing the overall footprint of the engine allowing it to be shoehorned into moderately sized engine bays. With the cylinder heads off, it looks as if two V6 powerplants were joined together at-the-hip, yet all twelve cylinders share the same crankshaft.

Premium fuel isn’t the only liquid the W12 drinks; Bentley has adapted the fuel system and vital engine components to accept E85 ethanol and FlexFuel technol-

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ogy of blending any ratio of ethanol and standard gasoline together. Mated to the engine is Bentley’s ZF 6-speed transmission that’s both selectable on the center console gear knob or via paddle-shift on the steering column. The all-time all-wheel-drive system has a 40/60 split that applies the biased power to the rear-wheels to have the Supersports react more like a rear-wheel-drive platform by reducing understeer when throttling hard out of corner exits.

Inside the cabin, the convertible exudes the same design points as the Supersports coupe. Leather wrapped and stitched dashboard, door handles and armrests can be tailored to a multitude of different color arrangements. The three-point multi-function steering wheel is wrapped in brushed suede around the perimeter along with the side of gear selector knob. Satin-finished carbon fiber is laid seamlessly on the instrument cluster, the center console surrounding the navigation screen, and passenger glove box.

For seating, the Supersports was equipped with the available manual adjusted carbon fiber front seats; diamond quilt-stitched Alcantara accents the seat centers and the interior door panels.

Tipping the scale at 5280 pounds, some 340 pounds heavier that the coupe, one could only think this drop-top would only be a lake-side cruiser for after dinner, but Bentley hasn’t taken that approach.

Even with the added reinforcement weight to strengthen the chassis, the car clocks only 3.9 seconds from 0-60mph and reaches a top speed of 202mph. That’s not even the half of it as the brake combination to bring 2½ tons to a halt is beyond any other production vehicle currently out. Eight-piston calipers clamps on 16.54in front vented carbon-ceramic discs, and the rear calipers counts out four-pistons that chomps down on 14.00in carbon-ceramic discs. The 20-inch diameter by 9.5-inch wide 10-spoke wheels

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was created to direct cooling air unto the brake system while rotating.

Production of these hand-built convertibles will be limited to 100 units, which translates to only to some 15 of the Supersports convertibles will be allocated stateside for US buyers. And even greater rarity is that each vehicle could be literally one-of-a-kind as Bentley’s has 27 exterior colors, 21 interior fabric and color options, 8 convertible top colors and convenience items specified a-la-carte. Is this Supersports tampered with? Surely not at all. It’s a convertible that breaths deep in the lunge of the performance luxury market; and may just convert some hardtop owners in becoming softies. EuroBerge’s color pick? Stay with the Citric; it shows you are sensitive and fast – the best of both worlds, ya’?eb

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Photo by: Erik Melander Camera: Canon 40D Aperture: f/5.0 Shutter Speed: 1/100 sec Focal length: 20 mm ISO: 400

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Clay

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fresh clay (4-6 oz. should be enough for 1 car) quick detailer (QD) lubricant waffle weave microfiber tape for decals and clear bra edges rubber glove or plastic sandwich bag

Article and Photos by Brendan McDonald

Clay-barring is the process of sliding a small pad of clay, lubricated with a detailing spray, across the paints surface. As the clay glides across the paint, it slowly pulls of particles that has bonded to the paint, like paint overspray and minerals from light water spotting. After claying, the paint will feel perfectly smooth, like a piece of glass. Because we are removing particles which divert reflected light in different directions, claying often improves the clarity of the paint as well.

The importance of claying the car is often under emphasized. Despite being so simple, clay is a powerful tool in removing paint contaminants, paint overspray, mineral deposits (like fresh water spotting), and adhesives leftover from removed badges/stickers. Claying before a polish and wax ensures that there is nothing in between our layer of wax and the clear coat. With new cars, especially with manufacturers like MINI/BMW that ship their cars via open air freighters, claying can remove paint overspray from the factory and light salt water spots from the journey overseas. It is tedious, but claying ensures a perfectly clean clear coat to polish or protect. With no contaminants in the way, a coat of wax or sealant has a strong bond to the surface, lasting longer and protecting better.

Claying does have its limitations and downfalls. Clay-bars won’t remove swirls or polish the paint; the clay isn’t an abrasive and won’t remove defects. Water spots or bird dropping that have etched the paint will require polishing. Any time contact is made with the paint, there is a possibility of marring the finish. Using plenty of lubrication and fresh clay will ensure that little to no marring takes place.

Start by giving the car a thorough wash. While washing, slide your fingers across the paint. Do you feel any bumps or roughness? Wearing a rubber glove or putting a sandwich bag over your fingers fallsometimes 2010 51

Before

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fresh clay

notice particulates in clay

helps in feeling bonded on contaminants. If the paint isn’t perfectly smooth, there is something bonded to it. Dry the car, and use painters tape to cover any decals or clear-bra edges. Begin your claying process on a horizontal surface like the hood; to get the hang of it without fighting gravity.

Spray a small section (about 2’ x 2’) with plenty of QD lubricant and slide the clay across the paint in a back and forth motion. Spraying every few passes to ensure the surface remains slippery with QD, slide the clay side to side instead of back and forth. It may take a few passes and direction changes to remove a contaminant. Once the embedded particles are lifted the paint should feel smooth to the touch, with no bumps or texture. Check with your bare fingers or a sandwich bag/rubber glove that the bonded materials have all been removed from the paint, then dry with a waffle weave or regular microfiber towel. Continue section by section until you have clayed every painted surface.

It is extremely important to throw out a piece of clay that falls to the ground. No matter how clean you think it is, clay is just too cheap to drag unknown garage floor dirt over your paint. Replace dropped clay immediately.

After a few sections, the clay will begin to darken with the particles you are removing. While the particles that you are picking up are small, it’s important to flip the pad of clay over to a fresh surface sooner than later. Fresh clay is more effective and decreases the risk of scratching your paint with something you’ve just removed. After both sides are dirty, it’s a good idea to retire that clay to glass cleaning duties or throw it out.

Using the correct amount of lubricant takes practice and experience to determine. I always err on the side of over-spraying QD and making sure the clay glides smoothly. With too little lubricant, the clay may grab the paint, leaving behind some clay residue. Spray the area heavily and gently use the clay pad to clean the scuff mark, just like a contaminant.

Once all of you paint is clean, be sure to clay your glass. This is the only time it’s acceptable to reuse a lightly soiled pad of clay from your paint cleaning processes earlier. Fold and mold it to reveal a fresh surface, and clay your windows the exact same way you would the paint. Tough windshield bug guts are often taken care of with one or two sweeps of the clay.

Claying will remove any wax that was protecting your car’s finish, so it is important to re-apply your favorite wax or sealant after claying. -eb fall 2010

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Photo by: Erik Melander Camera: Canon 40D Aperture: f/9.0 Shutter Speed: 1/100 sec Focal length: 35 mm ISO: 100 54

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Photo by: Erik Melander Camera: Canon 40D Aperture: f/5.0 Shutter Speed: 1/50 sec Focal length: 20 mm fall 2010 ISO:55 100

Nu Vintage Bug-In Article by Nicole Frank Photography by Alex Martinez

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What does it take to get a VW enthusiast out on a sweltering August day? Why, it’s the annual Bug-In of course. This gathering is held at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colorado every summer and brings newcomers as well as return visitors from all over the state. Of course EuroBerge needed to cover one of the more unique VW events in the state, so we headed to the foothills of the Rockies to check it out.

There are several different things to see and experience at the Bug-In you don’t normally see at any other car show. One of the first things you notice is the smell of burnt rubber, race gas, and the bellow of the exhaust on several air-cooled and water-cooled Beetles, Golfs, Buggies, and even an Audi or two. All of which are competing in the drag races which tell you this is no ordinary car show.

A full day of entertainment and enjoyment for any enthusiast is what can be had. fall 2010

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Of all the things to see, it’s the Volkswagens on display that really pulls you in. What is so great about it is that every car is unique and ornate in its own way. Walking around there myself I saw a full span of VWs ranging way back to 70 years old. So not only can you see the history of the car brand but also the individuality of the owner through their car. Even though a lot of the same cars show every year these enthusiasts always give you something new to feast your eyes on. Whether it’s new interior, paint, wheels, or trim; you can be assured that you won’t leave disappointed with what you saw.

Even after all of this there are still the valve cover races that the kids enjoy competing in, each one painted up and customized to set their valve cover from the rest. There is a large swap meet to check out; so if you are looking for that long lost part that may complete your car, there is a good chance you will find it here. Then to finish up the day you get to enjoy watching the bug push. This is where you can see people pushing their car down the track to see who can get to the halfway point the quickest and is the most hilarious thing to see out of the entire day.

After all is said and done we can positively say it is a pleasant show to attend for enthusiasts of all ages. A very special thanks goes to Nu Vintage for organizing this event. We will be sure to be in attendance next year and very much looking forward to it. A very much earned congratulations to the trophy winners, their hard work and passion were shown in their beloved VWs.

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Of all the things to see, it’s the Volkswagens on display that really pulls you in. What is so great about it is that every car is unique and ornate in its own way. Walking around there myself I saw a full span of VWs ranging way back to 70 years old. So not only can you see the history of the car brand but also the individuality of the owner through their car. Even though a lot of the same cars show every year these enthusiasts always give you something new to feast your eyes on. Whether it’s new interior, paint, wheels, or trim; you can be assured that you won’t leave disappointed with what you saw. -eb

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WESTFE

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ARTICLE BY RIC HARD MELICK PHOTOS BY ER IK MELANDER A ND MIKE SELA

NDER

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FOR MEALS WHEELS 64

The 24th annual WestFest, to raise money for Meals on Wheels, was held on Sunday, August 29th at Ed Carroll Motor Company in Fort Collins. Over the past few years, this Audi/VW/Porsche dealership has opened its lot up to raise money for this great cause, bringing in cars from all over Colorado and Wyoming to show support and raise money for the foundation. With more than 100 cars in attendance, from classic 356’s to the newest Audi R8, this end of summer show was one of the most diverse for the VAG community in Colorado.

The Meals on Wheels program has long looked to outside donations to help pay for the services it provided, and teaming up with the Rocky Mountain chapters of the Porsche 356 club and Audi club of North America, along with Ed Carroll Motor Company, has proven years past to be a successful venture. This year was no exception as entry fees and generous giving raised over $4,000.

With so many great cars in attendance, and over 70% of the Ed Carroll lot being taken up by show cars, this year boasted the largest attendance to date. A beautiful collection of Lamborghinis, a Ferrari and a beautiful Caterham even showed up just to help show support for the fundraiser. Just goes to show that you never know who, or what, will show up when it comes to helping out others.

With a large tent set up in the middle of the Porsche filled section of the lot, attendees were able to learn about the amazing Meals on Wheels program and make individual donations directly to the foundation.

Some of the great staff from MOW were on site to happy to answer any questions about the program, and were the most thankful for even the smallest of donations.

On top of the wide variety of vehicles present, a local band filled the air with tunes while burgers and hot dogs were cooked on the barbeque, all the while the vehicles were surrounded by jaw-dropped on lookers. With more and more people piling in from the street to check out the wide array all the way to the very end of the show, it is easy to see why this family event was such a huge success for everyone involved.

While this was not the one of the leading European shows in Colorado, the impact it had on just one small organization is monumental enough to say that it was one of the best attended by EuroBerge staff.

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Photo by: Mike Selander Camera: Nikon D200 Aperture: f/5.6 Shutter Speed: 1/320 sec Focal length: 120 mm ISO: 100

WHEELS

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Photo by: Erik Melander Camera: Nikon D200 Aperture: f/5.0 Shutter Speed: 1/250 sec Focal length: 180 mm ISO: 100

Photo by: Erik Melander Camera: Canon 40D Aperture: f/4.5 Shutter Speed: 1/200 sec Focal length: 163 mm ISO: 100

Aperture Stepping Down to Open Up

Article and Photos By Mike Selander

While the word ‘aperture’ has become a familiar term to those in the camera world and anyone holding a point-and-shoot in their hand, many don’t truly understand the depth and characteristics involved in the concept of aperture. Aperture is one of the most dynamic tools in photography when used properly.

The concept of aperture itself is a very simple one: There are circular leafs in every lens that open and close determining how much light is allowed to reach the camera sensor. The more open these leafs are, the more light is let in. From there, however, it gets much, much more complicated; a change in aperture also affects shutter speed, depth of field, and should even be taken into consideration for your next lens purchase.

Each aperture is assigned a value from f/1.0 all the way to f/128 (although most 35mm lenses only reach f/32). This value is determined by how open the leaf shutters on your lens are open.

(Check out the photos on the following pages for an easy visual of this) A specific number, or f-stop measures this; at f/1, your lens is the most open, allowing the most light in and opposite for f/32 and up. Since the leaf is open more at a lower aperture, you can use a faster shutter speed to compensate as light enters in the camera body ingraining the image on film or digital sensor more quickly.

Since they let the most light in, the lower apertures (generally 4 and below depending on the lens) are referred to as “fast” apertures.

This inverse relationship is known as exposure. Exposure is determined by what light conditions you’re shooting in. The less light there is, the more and more you have to compensate with either your shutter speed or aperture. If you’re in low-light conditions, you generally have to use a slower shutter speed to compensate for the lack of light.

However, this often leads to blurry images that don’t capture action. For example, if you are shooting motorsports at night, or the sun is quickly setting behind the hills, you will often want to keep a fast shutter speed in order to capture the action. To correct for this, push your aperture as low as possible, therefore allowing you to use a faster shutter speed. Likewise, if you’re in a condition with good light source, you need a larger (or less open) aperture if you want to maintain your shutter speed to compensate for the brightness. This is especially useful for rolling or panning shots.

Aperture also dictates a photo’s depth of field (DOF).

DOF determines how much of your photo is in acceptable focus. The smaller the aperture, the less of your photo is in focus outside of your desired focal point. For example, a shot taken at f/1.8 will have a very, very small area of your photo in focus, and as you raise the aperture more and more (to a higher f-stop) the rest of the photo will come in focus until you hit about f/32 where almost the entire image will be in acceptable focus. As you can see

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F/stops 1.0, 1.4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22, 32, 45, 64

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Aperture

F/2.8

F/5.6

in the photos to the side, the smaller the aperture, the less is in focus and in many cases, the more artistic the photo. Smaller DOF is particularly useful for taking close-ups and isolating your subject from the background, making the subject “pop” more. More open DOF is best when you want to incorporate the background and include it as a focal point of the photo.

When purchasing your next lens, aperture is a very important factor in the pricing and selecting your lens. Cheaper lenses will have less range on aperture; say f/5.6 to f/22 for a general walk-around. Typically, more expensive lenses will have a much better range, especially fixed-focal-length lenses. As you get up in focal length and down in aperture, you will see prices on lenses rise exponentially. For example, a the difference between a 70-200mm f/4 and 70-200mm f/2.8 is $1300 (over three times the cost of the f/4!) so keep this and desired speed needs in mind when looking to purchase your next lens.

Aperture is yet another factor that will make or break your photo. Use it isolate your subject, incorporate your background, or make better use of the light available. Whatever you do with it, just taking the knowledge of how to manipulate aperture with you will take you a step above the average bloke walking around with a camera.

The photos above are the leafs in a lens as they cycle through several apertures in two-stop intervals. Notice how the pupil size is exponentially larger in the lower apertures which allows significantly more light in than the “slower” apertures. Likewise, the photos to the side are the same composition through several apertures. Pay attention to the background and especially the sign as the whole scene comes more into focus.

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F/11

F/2.8

F/22

F/5.6

F/11

F/22

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Photo by: Mike Selander Camera: Nikon D200 Aperture: f/2.8 Shutter Speed: 1.6 sec Focal length: 200 mm ISO: 100

Photo by: Mike Selander Camera: Nikon D200 Aperture: f/2.8 Shutter Speed: 1/25 sec Focal length: 24 mm ISO: 100

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Photo by: Aaron Crooks Camera: Canon 20D Aperture: f/1.8 Shutter Speed: 1/1000 sec Focal length: 50 mm ISO: 100

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Photo by: Alex Martinez Camera: Canon XS Aperture: f/5.0 Shutter Speed: 1/100 sec Focal length: 75 mm ISO: 100

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