Spotted - Lancia Abarth 037

The Lancia 037 at the Auto Collection showroom in Las Vegas is an eye catcher. It is such a cool-looking car. These Lancias are also the last rear-wheel drive cars to win the World Rally Championship. After that it was all about four-wheel drive.

Spotted - BMW M1

Classic late 1970's styling by Guigiaro, chassis by Lamborghini, and that fabulous 3.5 liter M88 straight "six". One of the most unique cars ever to wear the BMW badge. One of 456 examples built between 1978 and 1981 so that BMW could homologate the car for racing. And to think I almost didn't show up to the show today! Yes, fit and finish is a bit crude (even by 1980 standards) and the power is nothing to write about compared to today's power plants (273 hp). This car is arguably where the M magic started. What a great opportunity to see first hand this amazing piece of engineering! Never underestimate Seattle's ridiculous wealth to attract the most interesting machinery to our corner of the planet.

Spotted - 1990 Ferrari F40

THE ultimate Ferrari of the late 1980's. Some say it is one of the greatest Ferraris ever made. It's styling obviously a case of forms follows function. Not as sexy as the 288 GTO but much better-looking than the F50 that will follow it. Indeed a truly iconic car. Very cool to have had an opportunity to see one first hand!

Ultimate evolution of the iconic 308 styling driven by aerodynamics

Spotted - 1976 Lamborghini Countach LP400

A 1976 Lamborghini LP400. The Countach in it's purest form. No wings, spoilers or wheel arch extensions. Just that amazing shape.

Spotted - McLaren MP4-12C

The McLaren MP4-12C, THE highlight from last weekend gathering of the Exotics at Redmond Town Center. Great lines. Lovely color. The lengths you got to go to in this neighborhood to be unique. Crazy... :-p

Spotted - Vector M12

Spotted the mythical Vector M12. Not exactly a timeless design. I think the angular lines of the W8 that was the topic of the iconic 90's posters looked sooo much cooler...

Spotted - Maserati Bora

Just when I least expected, there it was. Another 70's super car. This time the svelte Maserati Bora making an appearance in Redmond on a beautiful Saturday morning a few weeks ago. This sleek Giugiaro design shares it's platform with a smaller V6-powered brother called the Merak. Easily recognized by its brushed stainless roof, this V8-powered rocket was designed to compete with the DeTomaso Mangusta, Ferrari BB512, and other supercars of the era. A product of the influence of the then owners Citroen, its shares a lot of the hydraulic wizardry with the big Citroens of the era.

Ferrari 250GTO 50th Anniversary at Pebble Beach

Ferrari 250GTOs as far as the eye could see. If you are a fan of this famous race car, the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance was the place to be this past August. Twenty two of these Italian thoroughbreds including the first car to be built, were a highlight of this show. It was great not only to see but to hear these fabulous machines. Most interesting, 4 of the 22 cars that were on display reside in the Pacific Northwest. What's up with these owners that we never get to see these rolling pieces of history around our local events? With many of these changing hands in the multi-million dollar range it is not surprising they only come out for special occasions.

Chassis 4757GT - Built in 1963, this car war rebuilt several times before retiring in 1965.

Spotted - Veyron Grand Sport at Exotics@RTC

Today was Bugatti day at Exotics@RTC and the center piece was a beautiful blue Veyron Grand Sport. A couple weeks ago I was commenting that I had never seen a Veyron. Well, that was before I decided to head South to Monterrey for the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and came across four including a Grand Sport and a Super Sport. That makes five Veyrons in a week! I can't believe the number of people that showed up today to see this thing. It did seem to attract more attention than in Monterrey ;-)

Monterrey 2011 - Veyron Grand Sport

Bugatti Grand Sport keeping company with the Super Sport near the Concept Car area of the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

Spotted - Lamborghini LM002

What is more bizarre than coming across a Lamborghini LM002? Well, two of the 328 produced siting side by side in a parking lot. This unusual pair of exotic off-roaders showed up yesterday at Redmond Town Center. Originally conceived as a military vehicle in the late 70's, it never made it to that role but found a market with the rich folks in Saudi Arabia. Think about what it would cost to fill the 76 gallon fuel tank to take this hulk for a ride. Just what the doctor ordered for those sensible executives on the East Side.

Spotted - Ferrari SA Aperta

One of the 80 examples of the Ferrari SA Aperta has made its way to our humble region. I am sure it will get a lot of use with our lovely weather. Not to worry as the owner also has a GTO and an Enzo for those days when a hardtop is more appropriate.

Spotted - Ghia 450 SS

American power train by Chrysler and beautiful Italian coachwork by Ghia. Another classic design by Giorgetto Giugiaro. One of the 26 surviving examples of a run of 52 cars. Amazing what surfaces around here sometimes. Learn more...

Spotted - Qvale Mangusta

Came across this Qvale Mangusta earlier today. I am not sure why some people consider the styling controversial. I think it quite stylish and with that easy to maintain Ford V8 should be a piece of cake to maintain. :-)

Spotted - Maserati Ghibli

Beautiful Maserati Ghibli was my personal favorite at the Exotics at Redmond Town Center event earlier today. Another great design by Italian automotive designer Giorgetto Giugiaro. What a stunning car!

Spotted - Ferrari 599 GTO

Spotted - Lexus LFA

Yesterday we had a glimpse at Toyota's super car, the Lexus LFA at its first public appearance around the Pacific Northwest. A Carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer body, high-revving 4.8 liter V10 and a top speed of 202 MPH makes for a pretty impressive piece of engineering.

With only 500 to be sold worldwide and a price tag of around $375,000, this one is not one you will see often. Black looks mean but I wish they had chosen a lighter color car so that the lines would show better.

More at the Lexus LFA website...

Spotted - DeTomaso Mangusta

It was an unexpected surprise to finally get to see a DeTomaso Mangusta up-close today. One of the 401examples that left de DeTomaso factory in the early 70's. Although not as well sorted as it's contemporaries, it is a beautiful piece of rolling sculpture and a great example of Giorgetto Giugiaro work. Proof that it is impossible to predict what may show up at your local cruise-in.

This is one low and mean looking machine.

Spotted - Enzo Ferrari

The "ultimate" Ferrari. Not exactly my favorite exotic. Great feat of engineering. Still, with that massive front overhang, it may not be very practical on steep driveways :-)

Spotted - 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC

Source: Photographed by the author during the 2010 SOVREN vintage races in Kent, Washington.