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All-Weather Floor Mats For virtually any car, pickup, SUV or minivan! Available in Black, Tan, or Gray. GLK-Class
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Accessories available for: Acura • Audi • BMW • Buick • Cadillac • Chevrolet • Chrysler • Dodge • Ferrari • Ford • GMC • Honda • Hummer • Hyundai • Infiniti • Isuzu • Jaguar • Jeep • Kia • Land Rover • Lexus • Lincoln • Maserati • Mazda • Mercedes-Benz • Mercury • Mini • Mitsubishi • Nissan • Oldsmobile • Plymouth • Pontiac • Porsche • Saab • Saturn • Scion • Subaru • Suzuki • Toyota • Volkswagen • Volvo • And More!
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Publisher/Editor Rick Castillo National Advertising Sales Rick Castillo rick@luxuryautodirect.com
VP of Automotive Advertising Bruce Miller bruce@luxuryautodirect.com
Creative Director Josh Powers
josh@luxuryautodirect.com
Web Development Josh Powers
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Malcom Hogan Contributing Writers Stephanie Olivo David Raffa Michael Daly Kerry Stratton Contributing Photographers David Newhardt Zach Segal
Subscriptions 1 year – 6 Issues $29.99 2 year – 12 Issues $39.99 813-920-1988 or info@luxuryautodirect.com
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission. Luxury Auto Direct Magazine TM is published in the U.S.A 6 times per year by Luxury Direct Media, Inc.. For subscription or advertising rates, call 813-920-1988 or write to Luxury Auto Direct Magazine, PO Box 1058, Lutz, FL 33548. Luxury Auto Direct Magazine TM makes no representation or warranty for accuracy or content. The pictures of automobiles for sale and the written offer for sale are the responsibility of the individual advertiser. All photos become property of Luxury Direct Media, Inc. when printed unless otherwise agreed to by the publisher.
DROP-TOP REVENGE
Droptop Customs Revives an Award-Winning Design
COVER: GILA WHEELS The Future of the Wheel Industry
AUDI R8 SPYDER The R8 Goes Topless
MEC DESIGN
New Looks for Your CL or S Class Benz
B.R.M R50T
A High-Performance Timepiece Tribute to Motorsports
WIDE BODY
Forgiato’s Wide Body Challenger R/T
THE ORIGINAL SUPERCAR
The Lamborghini that Began the Evolution of the Supercar
FERRARI 458 ITALIA The New Beauty from Ferrari
CONCORSO ITALIANO
2009 Concorso Italiano Returns to Greatness
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Photography and Graphics by Eyespike Design
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LuxuryAutoDirect Magazine is proud to be the first to get our hands on the images of the “Drop-Top Revenge� R/T Challenger by Droptop Customs (A division of Convertible Builders, LLC) that will make its debut at the 2009 SEMA Show. If it is anything like its 2008 sister car which won the Chrysler Design Excellence Award, it will be the Crown Jewel of the 2009 SEMA Show taking place in November at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
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2009 represents a year of financial turmoil that spread like a wild fire across the globe. Chrysler, not unlike many other organizations was not immune to the chaos and soon joined GM as both giants were ushered by our Congress into bankruptcy. With a change of leadership and forced intervention by the US Government, Chrysler reorganized and quickly moved out of bankruptcy. Those faithfully following the recently reintroduced Challenger saw rumors of introducing a 2009 convertible crushed and the masses watched intently for signs of Dodge pulling out of further production and ending what will likely be this generation’s last great pony car war. Instead, America and the rest of the world got a glimpse of better times and witnessed the resurrection of a Mopar icon!!
Special ordered from the Brampton factory by Chrysler of Cortland, N.Y, Drop Top Revenge represents 1 of only 450, Deep Water Blue Pearl, 2009 Challengers built with a 6 speed manual Tremac transmission. The basic design that comprised the early Project N96 concept actually occurred months before the order was placed.
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Using scrap paper during hospital visits and later, the time associated with the many sleepless nights that followed a life threatening motorcycle accident; from the Shaker Hood and the custom graphics, to the Hurst Shifter the intent up to this point was to bring back the Classic look of a 1970 Dodge Challenger, with an eye for new and modern electronic technology.
As a S.E.M.A. attendee for numerous years, the research associated with building Project N96 brought forth a certain show stopping car that won the Chrysler Design Excellence Award and had become the talk of the 2008 show. It was a Snake Green Creation that the Chrysler Corporation commissioned to be built by a company called Coach Builders Limited (now called Drop Top Customs) A company who has the reputation of being the oldest convertible conversion company that specializes in OEM look, fit, and finish. This car was also featured in the February/March 2009 issue of Luxury Auto Direct Magazine. What happened to this award winning show machine? After S.E.M.A. this car was quietly scrapped by the Chrysler Corporation!
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And so the final piece of the build fell in place…to cut a perfectly good roof from the car…and re-create the legendary look of the Dodge Challenger Convertible! The factory order was changed….the car was re-routed to Gainesville Florida instead of to his hometown dealership in Cortland. Having flown down to Gainesville to witness the first “cut”, here this build took its second and final turn! Hidden in the corner of the shop, under cover and away from prying eyes…the wheels! The wheels that were from the Original Drop Top Convertible of the 2008 S.E.M.A. show car. They sat on a pallet. You see, Chrysler did not own the wheels…so they were saved from the crusher!
It was decided then, between the owner and the builder, that this was to be more than a convertible, this would become a tribute to a car whose life ended just as it had begun to live. The Foose Challenger Classic “shoes” and the addition of Snake Skin Green highlights as well as the custom Katzskin Leather Seats are a tribute to the “Big Brother” of this little Hemi that there is nothing little about. The addition of Green Halo effect lighting creates an effect that catches onlookers by surprise. As though it stirs from within. As though something lives within it. Perhaps the spirit of Drop Top has been re-awakened and is seeking...REVENGE! View entire photo gallery on www.luxuryautodirect.com.
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A product of skillful hands. And ingenious minds. Eterna Madison Limited Edition with the exclusive Eterna Calibre 3500 movement. A hand-wound mechanical timepiece combining modern engineering and traditional craftsmanship. www.eterna.ch Tel.866-425-9882
GLAMOUR Diamond Collection Automatic 25 Jewels Available with Bracelet Louisiana Crocodile
Gevril USA – 1-866-425-9882 www.gevril.com Gevril Switzerland – Rue Meval 20, 2720 Tramelan – Switzerland info@gevril.ch
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Since the inception of the automobile, manufacturers and consumers have been customizing vehicles to make them their own. As with every other upgrade, factory wheels have not been enough.
Welcome to the world of Gila Wheels! (Pronounced Hē-La’) While others try to create new designs, Gila Wheels has been busy creating a new dimension; allowing the elegance of each design to show how they intend to be key players in the future of the custom wheel industry. Utilizing the Patented Gila Wheels Technology, they are the only company in the world to offer unique depth in the new era of the automobile wheel. Beginning with a one piece wheel, they attach an additional layer that bolts back into the core of the wheel, creating a dimension never seen before in the industry.
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“For over 60 plus years, the auto industry has been able to not only change the look, but also the performance of vehicles by adding custom tires and wheels. From steel wheels, to alloy wheels, to two and three piece forged; designs have become more and more extreme as time has moved forward. Wheels have grown wider, as they have grown taller. Previously, we were introduced to the world of spinning wheels as well as viewing the first set of 32” wheels and tires. Although the designs have evolved over time, the dimensions have never changed. Each wheel design, no matter how extraordinary, and no matter the production material used, had remained as flat as ones television. Well, that was until we entered the market” explained Chryl Goss, Executive Vice President of Gila Wheels.
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Gila Wheels was founded on the principle of breaking away from the stagnant ideas that has choked up the luxury wheel market for years. The concept behind each design has been created with pure disgust at the custom wheel industry; especially with these top name manufacturers who have saturated the market with the same old, bland, and even more pathetic, copy-cat boring designs.
This technology allows for the most extreme designs that have previously only worked on paper, to set our client’s rides above the rest. Will Scott, Gila Wheels Marketing Director, explains, “Our client’s seek that diamond in the rough, that unique wheel that can not be imitated. So we explore with our very own world class designs, apply advanced engineering and maximum safety, to bring them the most innovative wheels to the luxury aftermarket.” With the countless man hours in the design and production of each wheel, many can appreciate but with ‘Limited Edition’ production of each design, only a few will possess the brilliance radiated from each set of Gila Wheels.
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To completely understand how complex a luxury wheel can be, one must grasp the concept of form and function, and the battle that ensues between the two. As designs have attempted to become more and more complex and appealing, there has always been limitation due to function. Wheels must turn‌ How hard can it be? With the addition of the patented attachment to all Gila Wheels, form can finally breathe new life into the repetitious ways of the luxury wheel industry. The best part; it can not be copied! It will never be sold under a lesser name. When you see a Gila Wheel, you will understand that the battle between the beauty of form and the beast of function is now over.
The powerhouse combination of legendary muscle car collector, Mike Killion, Chairman of Gila Wheels, and one of the top luxury wheel designers, Richard Birnbaum, President/CEO of Gila Wheels, has given us a product of brilliant ideas, mold breaking concepts and heart pounding determination that is expected and can only be found within the automotive industry. From a simple sketch on a napkin to final production, Gila Wheels will not stray on the principles of progress. Far too long has the luxury wheel industry been at a standstill. With eminent engineering and unlimited customization, Gila Wheels’ offerings give the industry no choice but to forge ahead, or simply be left behind.
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Exceptional performance and breathtaking dynamism coupled with the intense sensations of open-top driving: Audi presents the R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro. Its lightweight cloth top opens and closes fully automatically; several body parts are made of a carbon fiber composite material.
The V10 engine produces 386 kW (525 hp) and launches the open-top two-seater to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.1 seconds on its way to a top speed of 313 km/h (194.49 mph). Featuring technologies such as the Audi Space Frame (ASF), quattro permanent all-wheel drive, full-LED headlights and with an innovative seatbelt microphone available as an option, the R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro is the new top-of-the-range Audi.
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The Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro makes a powerful statement. The sculptured lines of the emotion-packed, high-performance sports car are a fascinating and unique interpretation of its dynamism. Unlike the CoupĂŠ, the Spyder does not have sideblades behind the doors. The side panels and the large cover over the storage compartment for the cloth top are made of a carbon fiber composite. Two arched cowls, which extend to the spoiler lip and include large, integrated air vents, give the rear of the open-top two-seater a powerful profile.
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Like every open-top Audi, the R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro has a cloth top – an uncompromising solution for a high-performance sports car. The soft top’s approximate weight is a mere 30 kilograms (66.14 lb); it thus keeps the vehicle’s total weight and center of gravity low. The top takes up little space when open and is a harmonious design element when closed. It tapers off to two slim fins extending to the trailing edge of the car, emphasizing the elongated silhouette.
The electrohydraulic soft top opens and closes in 19 seconds, even while driving at speeds up to 50 km/h (31.07 mph). When opened, it folds like a Z into its storage compartment over the V10 engine. The compartment cover opens and closes automatically. The heated glass window, which is separate from the cloth top, is lowered into the bulkhead. It can be independently raised and lowered at the press of a switch, with the top up or down. An additional net-like wind deflector comes standard and can be latched into the bulkhead behind the seats in two easy steps.
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The top, which comprises an outer skin of a leakproof textile fabric and the headliner, is fully compatible with high-speed driving. When driving at moderate speeds with the top up, interior noise levels in the R8 Spyder are barely higher than in the CoupĂŠ. The bulkhead includes integrated rollover protection in the form of two strong, spring-tensioned plates. Head/thorax side bags in the backrests protect the passengers in the event of a side impact. Full-size airbags stand at the ready in the event of a head-on collision. In a rear-end collision, the integral head restraint system reduces the risk of whiplash injuries.
The Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro is built by quattro GmbH at the Neckarsulm plant. The vehicle, including the ASF, is largely hand-built. The open-top two-seater will be launched in Germany in the first quarter of 2010; sales will start in the coming days. Its base price will be 156,400 euros or around $230,000 US.
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2009 Ferrari F430 Scuderia in Metallic Black over Black alcantara interior with Red stitching. Only 217 miles! The Ferrari F430 Scuderia is powered by a 4.3L V8 producing 510hp and fitted with the F1 SuperFast Transmission bringing the shift time to less than 60 milliseconds. The Scuderia is 220 lbs. lighter and 20hp faster compared to the standard F430 and includes a more aggressive front and rear styling. This Scuderia is nicely equipped with these options: Red Brake Calipers, Alcantara dash, Alcantara uphostery, Ferrari IPOD, All stitching in Red, Alcantara Steering Wheel and more! Call Lamborghini Houston at 866-289-7497.
www.lamborghinihouston.com
2008 Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder in Rosso Leto Metallic over Nero Perseus Italian Leather interior. Pampered with only 2312 miles! This Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder is powered by a 5.2L V10 producing 520hp and fitted with the amazing E-gear transmission. Options include E-gear Transmission, Fully Electric/Heated Seats, Steering wheel in perforated leather, Windshield frame in color, Bluetooth, Leather Package 1, Heated wing mirrors, Lifting system, Branding Package, Titanium finish Callisto Rims, and more! Call Lamborghini Houston at 866-289-7497.
www.lamborghinihouston.com
2004 Murcielago E-gear Coupe in Grigio Antares (Titanium Metallic) over Black Italian leather with Grey contrasting stitching. This Lamborghini has been pampered with only 8,085 miles. The Titanium Metallic color is absolutely GORGEOUS in person and this exotic has obviously been meticulously maintained. We recently did a full service and installed a new clutch and LARINI exhaust system! Call Lamborghini Houston at 866289-7497. www.lamborghinihouston.com
2006 Ferrari F430 F1 Coupe in Black over a Black Leather interior. We sold this Ferrari to a local client 2 years ago and he has only put 400 miles on it for a total of only 1,992 pampered miles. Beautifully equipped with the F1 Transmission, Yellow Painted Brake Calipers, Scuderia Ferrari Shields, Power Operated Seats, Daytona Seats, and more! Call Lamborghini Houston at 866-289-7497. www.lamborghinihouston.com
2008 Lamborghini Gallardo E-Gear special ordered in the Murcielago color of Grigio Antares (Titanium Metallic) at a cost of $7,260 with a 2-Tone Black and Grey leather interior. This car has just 1,601 miles. Heavily Loaded with the E-Gear Transmission, Silver Callisto Rims, Silver Brake Calipers, Transparent Engine Bonnet, Branding Package, Travel Package, Winter Package, Heated Wing Mirrors, Coming Home Function, Fully Electric Heated Seats, Customized Interior, Lifting System, Leather Package II, Anti Theft System, CD Changer Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Rear Camera System, Dark Rear Lights, Bluetooth, and the Custom Requested Color. Call MotorCars International today at 866-289-6740.
www.motorcars-intl.com
1995 Ferrari 512M in Rosso Corsa Red over a Tan Leather interior. #20/75 with just 7,939 miles. This 512M was sold new on October 16th, 1996 to Lorenzo Lamas in Burbank, CA. It has had just three California owners since new. We purchased it directly from the third owner in San Juan Capistrano, CA. Brand New, Full Major Service just completed. Includes factory exhaust, complete tool kit, full owner’s manual set, leather book binder, number plate, battery tender, etc. Call MotorCars International today at 866-289-6740. www.motorcars-intl.com
2006 Ferrari F430 F1 Spider in Rosso Corsa Red over Tan Leather and Black Carpeting. 2-owner car with just 2,231 miles. Built at the factory in Maranello with the F1 Transmission, Red Painted Brake Calipers, Daytona Style Seats, Power Operated Seats, Scuderia Ferrari Shields on the Fenders, Black Carpeting, HiFi Sound System with Subwoofer, Roll Bars Upholstered in Tan, Battery Tender, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, and Rear Parking Sensors. Protected with a Ventureshield clear bra and front skid plates. Complete with all keys, books, tools, air compressor, car cover, battery tender, flashlight, Window Sticker, etc. Call MotorCars International today at 866-289-6740.
www.motorcars-intl.com
2006 Ford GT in Tungsten Grey Metallic with Silver Stripes over Ebony Black Leather. Only 186 miles! Includes the Silver Painted Racing Stripes, Lightweight Forged Aluminum Wheels and the $4,000 upgraded McIntosh Stereo System. Complete with car cover in the plastic, owner’s manuals and pouch, both keys, both remotes, tire inflator, tow hook, Original Window Sticker, battery tender, front license plate bracket, etc. Call MotorCars International today at 866-289-6740. www.motorcars-intl.com
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MEC Design has been very busy over the past few months, not only do they have their S Class body kit ready but the CL body kit is also available. Both models feature the MEC Design 2Face system that enables the body kit to have 2 completely different looks. The rear bumper features a sporty looking extreme diffusor although there is a more respectable elegant version. The front bumper has fog and driving lights although another version with a cool mesh insert is also available. Functionality doesn’t get left behind either as the side skirts are available with or without 5 LED which are linked to the internal lighting and come on when you open the door. The S Class is finished off with a one piece spoiler whilst the CL has a beautifully curved three piece spoiler.
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Both models have massive 22� alloy wheels. The CL features the mecxtreme I with a black finish whilst the S Class has the mecxtreme III and is shown with the polish and black finish, although as MEC Design manufacture their wheels upon order they are available in a variety of finishes. The mecxtreme wheels are a three piece wheel with a forged centre piece that is high gloss compressed and come with stainless steel outer rims. The front axles have 10.5x22 with 285 tires whilst the rear axles have 11.5 x 22 with 295 tires.
They have been lowered using the MEC Design ELS Lowering module which allows for a special measure of between 40-70mm lowering. Later justification is possible and it is also available with arbitrary vehicle dynamics which raises the vehicle when travelling at 80km/h to 10mm.
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The quad oval chrome tips are only a small reminder of the monster that lurks underneath. MEC Design is well known for the legendary sounds that their exhausts produce and with sound versions such as “Earthquake” and “Apocalypse” it’s understandable why. They are of course manufactured from mandrel-bent stainless steel tubing, with a stainless steel resonator and muffler.
The interiors don’t miss out either as MEC Design’s talents extend to the inside. The multifunctional steering wheel with its distinctive ergonomically designed handles, precious wood inlay and leather make it a pleasure to grip. The floor mats are made from precious velours. They have Nubuck leather embroidered edging and feature the MEC Design logo. In the rear are the executive fold down tables which are made from solid woods to match your interior.
So whether you choose the S Class or the CL body kit you are sure to be driving one of the sickest most wanted rides in town all courtesy of European tuning experts MEC Design – a Synonym for Perfection.
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Story by Mikael Jehanno
The French call it Reserve de Marche. The power reserve indicator is to the mechanical watch what the fuel gauge is to the gasoline engine. Indeed, one glance at B.R.M.’s stunning new timepiece, the R50-TN, should be enough to convince anyone that luxury watches and motorsports might just have a whole lot more in common than we thought. The B.R.M. models have always paid a heavy tribute to the world of motorsports, but the R50-TN Reserve de Marche goes further by incarnating the true essence of a high performance wristwatch. Behind the raw beauty emanating from the exposed movement – a masterpiece of craftsmanship shaped like a motorcycle engine, with the cylinder on the left – lies more than just a few revolutionary innovations.
The Reserve de Marche measures and displays the tension left in the mainspring of a watch – and therefore the amount of autonomy remaining – at any given time. While an automatic timepiece requires at least 30% of its mainspring to be wound in order to run properly, it also needs to be worn between 10 and 15 hours per day to reach a full wind. A lot of people tend to think that just shaking the watch a few times is enough to give it a jump start, and realize only later that automatic watches are actually designed to be worn most of the day and be put to rest only at night, just like the rest of us. Instead of being discretely tucked on the side, the Reserve de Marche is located at 6 o’clock on the R50-TN. The smaller needle indicates the amount of power reserve left, with a maximum charge of 48 hours.
Everything about the B.R.M. R50-TN seems to bring us back to the universe of finely- tuned race engines. It features the most ground-breaking design built around B.R.M.’s patented Isolastic System. The first French-made movement in three decades is mounted on fiber glass or carbon fiber triangles maintained by springs to minimize any vibration inside the case. The rotor is made of aluminum and a rare, hard and heavy metal called tantalum. Every screw has been replaced with a bolt, as if to underline the dramatic engine-like mechanism, enclosed in a 50 millimeter case made of extra hard titanium grade 2.
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The R50-TN Reserve de Marche was designed by a small team of passionate engineers with a serious weakness for motorsports in general, and sports motorcycles in particular. No wonder B.R.M. was recently asked to craft 10 unique timepieces to match the mind-blowing Ecosse Heretic Titanium Series, perhaps today’s rarest and most coveted street bike. There have been hundreds of variations on the theme of the wristwatch as a tribute, to a high-performance vehicle, car or motorcycle manufacturer: Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche and Ducati to name just a few. Most of these watches look great and succeed in exploiting the aesthetics associated with a brand’s logo and image. But the B.R.M. R50-TN Reserve de Marche is the real thing.
More than any other B.R.M. model, the R50-TN Reserve de Marche echoes the Spartan features of a racing engine. Bare essentials are the key to higher performance. You don’t need veneer panels, GPS and precious metals when your goal is to top the time sheets and to be the first to cross the checkered flag. Let’s face it: there is something incredibly sexy and dangerous about keeping an engine entirely exposed, especially when this engine is rotating so close to your skin. Something beautiful happens when raw power meets elegance. After making a name for itself in the past few years with gorgeous wristwatches, such as the V12-44, B.R.M. has stepped up to the next level with the R50-TN. The new timepiece has been a success in North America so far and was spotted several times at the Concours d’Elegance last August in Pebble Beach. The French is back. Keep an eye on the Reserve de Marche.
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Subterranean Four Post Model The PhantomPark lift—the only American made subterranean parking lift that meets all design and safety features required by ANSI (American National Standards Institute).
Subterranean Scissors Model
AMERICAN MADE • Double your space by parking two vehicles in the footprint of one parking stall • Unobtrusive and secure—conceals lower vehicle • Aesthetically pleasing—surface can be tilted or covered to match surroundings • Multiple units can be installed side by side • Ideal for low ceiling applications • Ideal for transporting vehicles from one level to another level • Increases property value • Many safety features
Park-King
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Above Ground Single Post Parking
Please call today for a free brochure and video (888) 711-5438 E-mail: sales@aclifts.com • WWW.ACLIFTS.COM
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This is something you don’t see everyday: A brand new 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T getting cut for a wide body treatment. In fact, so much so that the vehicle’s owner, AC of Forgiato wheels, has even been pulled over just so an officer of the law could get a better look. AC was not ticketed, but lauded for the work that transformed the everyday Dodge into something both rare and beautiful.
After all the cutting, welding, and fabrication was completed, the flat black wide body boasted a lux red and black suede interior, a Mangacharger Super Charger cramming an additional 150 horses under the hood and - most impressively and importantly for the Forgiato owner - fender flares wide enough to fit a set of 24x15-inch wheels.
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To outfit the new wide body challenger, AC chose only the best and the Challenger beast was equipped with Forgiato’s all-new 24” Trifolio wheel. These wheels are as unique as the car itself and feature both innovative design cues and extreme attention to detail. Whether stationary or in motion, the wheels are imbued with a sense of movement, as though the flange of the wheel is melting off. They embody speed and movement.
To complete the look with the Forgiato Trifolios, the Challenger received a 24x9 wheel with a 4.5” lip in the front and 24x15 wheel in the rear with an unheard of 11” lip! To round out the design and maintain level of perfection seen throughout the rest of the vehicle, the wide Dodge rests on Pirelli Tires.
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Almost everything Forgiato does, including this Dodge Challenger over haul, is something you don’t see everyday. Forgiato is a true wheel manufacturer in every sense of the word. They create 3-piece forged wheels completely in house. All their wheels are built in the United States using all American parts. In addition, the company also does the painting and powder coating in house.
You can visit www.Forgiato.com to build your own wheel in any combination of colors and finishes you can imagine. Make sure to check out the photo gallery where they have thousands of pictures of cars with Forgiato wheels on them. Build time for a Forgiato wheel is about 2-3 weeks, but we think it is well worth the wait.
A gathering of the world’s finest automobiles, motorcycles, aircraft and watercraft.
Luxury Lifestyle Jet Port Reception & Motorsports Collection. Friday, October 23rd 8:00pm -11:00pm
Wine Connoisseurs Dinner with Chef Norman Van Aiken. Norman’s, The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes. Saturday, October 24th 7:30pm-10:30pm
Festivals of Speed.
Celebrating the 100 Year Anniversary of Bugatti. The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes. Sunday, October 25th 10:00am - 4:00pm
www.festivalsofspeed.com 352-385-9450
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Photos and text by Jack Criswell, AdPix.Biz
Lamborghini was built to spoil the party. Rumor has it that the very existence of Lamborghini sprang from Ferruccio Lamborghini’s spat with Enzo Ferrari about the durability of Ferrari’s clutches. Ferrari responded to Lamborghini, a Ferrari customer at the time, with something like “Go back to building tractors” and Lamborghini stormed off determined he could build a better Ferrari than Ferrari. And he’s been spoiling Ferrari’s party ever since.
Since introducing the Miura (named after a breed of fighting bull) at the Turin Auto Show in 1965, Lamborghini has been known as a party crasher. But the revolutionary Miura was more than a mere distraction. The Miura is considered the world’s first true supercar.
It was the first mid-engined street car. At the time, mid-engined cars were just taking over the word of racing from the frontengine stalwarts that had been a staple for decades. Some even wondered if the potential of a mid-engined performance car was too irresponsible to sell for street use.
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The Miura’s V-12 motor is cast in the same piece as its 5-speed transmission, inseparably, to save weight, and that entire drive unit is then mounted transversely in a steel monocoque chassis. It boasted independent front and rear double transverse wishbones with coil spring, and four-wheel disk brakes. It is all hand-formed, sculpted, and welded. Inner pieces that never see daylight are works of art. Even the “lightening holes” drilled in strategic places are artfully placed. Dry weight was only 2840 lbs. The mechanical package alone stole the show; literally - the car was introduced as a naked chassis only – no body!
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It really had no competitors. The only thing close was Ferrari’s 365 GTB/4, a front-engined V-12 touring car. Although it was, at the time, the only other car in the world available with a V-12, and with all due respect to that fantastic car, the 365 was no supercar.
Serious car historians debate whether the Miura’s body or its engine is more significant. Lamborghini had hired away from Ferrari a brilliant engineer named Giotto Bizzarrini. The engine he designed for the Miura was actually intended to be an F1 motor.
Lamborghini had planned to make only 30 Miura’s, just toying with Ferrari. They even priced it about the same as the Ferrari, at $19,500. But by the time Bertone had worked up a Miura body, for the Geneva Auto Show the next year, orders were piling up.
Bertone’s sleek body, considered to be one of the most perfect car shapes ever, uses aluminum hoods, with clamshell opening to maximum access. It in fact technically has two trunks, one on each end.
The V-12 motor itself was also special. Officially the DOHC produced 350 hp, with four triple-throat Webber carburetors, essentially one per cylinder. Top speed was “in excess” of 170 mph, and 0-60 was about 6 seconds. Remember, this was in 1966. Such performance figures were amazing.
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Lamborghini constantly improved the Miura, not waiting for model year changes. The biggest change was in 1971 with the Miura SV (“Tuned Fast”) model. They eliminated the controversial headlight eyelashes, flared the rear fenders, and added some lighting and chassis reinforcements.
One welcome improvement was separating the transmission and engine oil. The combined oiling in the first cars turned out to be a bad idea due to trash in the system. They also quickly fixed a fuel fire-hazard that a few early cars had, caused by the racing carburetors which were not suited to much idling. But overall, despite such cutting-edge technology and innovation, the Miura was even more reliable than most pedestrian transportation of the day.
By the end of production in 1973, about 750 were made. Demand had not dropped off; Lamborghini simply had to start production on the Countach.
This one was the 102nd Miura produced. It is in the original Lamborghini red, but the interior may have been changed. The owner drives it weekly. He says it’s behaved pretty much flawlessly in the six years he has had it, so he doesn’t know how many thousands it is going to cost to tune those Webbers, or to fix a crack in the genuine magnesium Campagnolo wheels, and he doesn’t want to know.
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Since the official unveiling of the Ferrari 458 Italia at the Frankfurt Motor Show on the 15th of September, enthusiasts can find out more about the car on www. ferrari.com. There they can find the first photographs of the 458 Italias interior and of the steering wheel and instrument binnacle which represent a significant step forward in the concept of the ergonomic interface between driver and car.
In fact the main commands are now grouped on the steering wheel, the secondary commands are handily set in two satellite pods either side of the dash and there are now comprehensive instrument displays on the panel ahead of the driver. These solutions represent an important safety aspect, enabling the driver to concentrate fully on driving. Similarly this layout ensures maximum control of the car in high performance driving, an uncompromising approach that derives directly from Ferraris F1 experience.
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Working closely with the Ferrari Styling Centre, the engineers have thus reinterpreted the positioning of the major commands to provide a truly driver-oriented cockpit. All steeringcolumn mounted stalks have been eliminated, with the indicators, full beam, flash and windscreen wiper functions now being activated by buttons on the steering wheel boss. The button to select the shock absorber setting is now positioned next to the Engine start button where it falls readily to hand. Behind the wheel are a number of secondary functions, such as the stereo, while the gearbox paddles are now longer making shifts even easier from any steering angle.
The right-hand satellite pod on the dash incorporates controls for the infotainment, the Bluetooth connection, sat-nav, digital speedo and rear parking camera. Clustered on the left-hand satellite pod instead are the optional cruise control, buttons for choosing the video setting of the left-hand dash TFT screen and the on-board computer interface. The latter controls the trip computer, the Vehicle Dynamic Assistance and the display of the cars set-up.
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The Vehicle Dynamic Assistance monitors the operating parameters of the most important areas of the car - engine/gearbox, tyres and brakes. The VDA is enabled in the following manettino settings Race, CT off and CST off and provides visual confirmation of the status of each component based on an algorithm from parameters reading lateral and longitudinal acceleration, revs and speed. This enables the driver to assess the ideal operating conditions for the car. There are three status settings: WARM-UP (operating temperature too low), GO (ideal operating conditions) and OVER (one or more components are no longer at their optimum level and need cooling).
Along with the photos now on-line, the Ferrari site also includes an exclusive video interview with Paolo Pininfarina, Chairman of Pininfarina S.p.A., who provides indepth insight into the 458 Italias design philosophy and exterior styling. The next release on www.ferrari.com will include an analysis of the cars performance characteristics with an interview with seven-times F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher. View entire photo gallery at www.luxuryautodirect.com.
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This year was one of the best Concorso Italianos in a very long time. The success of the event is in no small part due to those of you who had the faith in us to attend. To you we extend a very big THANK YOU!
Many people said this year’s event reminded them of Quail Lodge in the old days. That is a very welcome comment and one we hope to live up to in the coming years.
Yes, the return to the lush lawns of Laguna Seca Golf Ranch was a big hit. Getting in and getting out was much easier than we had projected. The Italian car enthusiasts got what they were looking for—fun, sun, special guests, and a plethora of exotic Italian cars.
Spectators and VIP’s were able to easily go directly to their respective parking area and enter the event with very little hassle. Food lines moved quickly and the on–trailer deluxe restrooms were a welcome sight for those in need.
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2009 was a banner year for Concorso Italiano. From the world record gathering of 15 Ferrari 288 GTOs, to the golden anniversary celebration of DeTomaso, to the special Italian guests and the heart–warming acknowledgment by Jay Leno of Valentino Balboni’s tremendous contribution to Lamborghini, the 2009 Concorso was filled with memories.
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Martin Loge of Santa Barbara, CA. brought his spectacular 1969 Maserati Mexico and took home the top prize.
We want to thank our sponsors for their support in making Concorso the terrific event that it was. We also want to thank all of the vendors who offered a wide variety of fascinating products so eagerly supported by the attendees. And we greatly appreciate the Monterey Plaza Hotel for catering the Strada Club and Balesteri Catering for the Clubhouse lunch, as well as the other food and beverage providers for making the culinary choices so delectable. And lastly, we want to thank all of the car clubs for their support and for the enthusiasts who bring so much energy to the event.
We will be announcing our special events and guests in the coming weeks. It has been an absolute pleasure bringing you the 24th edition of Concorso. We look forward to bringing you the 2010 Concorso Italiano on Friday, August 13, once again at the spectacular Laguna Seca Golf Ranch. Plan now to help us celebrate 25 years of Concorso Italiano!
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