Hi, thanks for clicking here. If you love cars — all types of cars — you’ve come to the right page. Below are some of my favorite cars and some interesting facts about them.
Ferrari
Did you know that Ferrari is an Italian company that formed in 1929 when Enzo Ferrari formed the Scuderia Ferrari racing team? Now most people just know it as a manufacturer of Italian sports cars (which it has produced since 1947.) In the 1960s, Ford attempted to acquire Ferrari, but Enzo Ferrari refused, fearing a loss of control. The Prancing Horse logo was given to Ferrari by the mother of a famous Italian pilot, Francesco Baracca.
Corvette
As an auto mechanic, I have worked on all types of vehicles, including some sweet sports cars. I have yet to work on a Ferrari (which would be a dream) but I have worked on some gorgeous Corvettes. Did you know that the very first Corvette (named after a warship) rolled onto the showroom floor in 1953? It came stock with a wraparound, or panoramic, windshield – the first mass-production car to do so. The car was an instant sensation.
The C3 Corvette, specifically the 1979 model year, is the best-selling Corvette, but the C6 and C7 generations were also popular.
The “holy grail” of Corvettes is generally considered to be the 1967 L88. This is because of its rarity, powerful performance, and connection to the Corvette’s racing heritage. Only 20 of these cars were produced in 1967, making them extremely sought-after by collectors.
Chevy SS
Over the last few years, I have gotten interested in classic cars and hotrods. I was able to drive a 66 Chevy SS and it was a beast.
The 1966 Chevrolet SS models were particularly known for their performance and customization options. They offered different powerful engines, including the big-block 396, with different horsepower levels. The SS designation became its own model in 1966, rather than just a performance package, and buyers could customize their SS396 with features like four-speed transmissions, air conditioning, and luxury options.
McLaren
McLaren is a British automaker and Formula 1 team. It is known for its innovative technology and deep racing history. The founder, a New Zealand racing driver named Bruce McLaren, died while testing a Can-Am car in 1970.
The newest McLaren is the Artura Spider. It’s a hybrid convertible supercar that builds on the Artura coupe with improvements to the powertrain and chassis for more power, dynamic performance, and driver connection. The Artura Spider also features a new retractable hardtop.
Lamborghini
Lamborghini has a fun backstory filled with fascinating facts. The company was founded by Ferruccio Lamborghini in 1963. It was initially a tractor manufacturer, and its first product was a tractor. It later transitioned into luxury sports cars. The brand’s bull logo is inspired by Ferruccio’s zodiac sign, Taurus, and his fondness for bullfighting. The story goes that the company’s founding was brought about by a disagreement with Enzo Ferrari, leading to Lamborghini’s decision to build his own sports cars.
Porsche
The Porsche is not in my top five favorite cars, but I wouldn’t turn one down, either. Porsche is a German luxury and high-performance sports car manufacturer. Its headquarters and main factory are located in Stuttgart, Germany. It was founded by Ferdinand Porsche in 1931.
Introduced in 1963 and still in production today, the Porsche 911 has become the heart and soul of the brand. Known for its distinctive design and rear-engine layout, the 911 has evolved over the years while maintaining its iconic status.
I love this quote from Ferdinand Porsche: “The perfect race car crosses the finish line first and then crumbles into its individual parts.”
The animal in the Porsche logo is a horse. The horse is a key element of the Stuttgart city seal, and Stuttgart was founded as a horse-breeding center. The horse also represents the power and agility of Porsche vehicles.
Ford Mustang
Did you know that Ford introduced its first Mustang at the 1964 New York World’s Fair? It was designed by Lee Iacocca and there is some controversy around how it got its name. Some people say it was named after the P-51 fighter plane and others say it is a tribute to the wild mustang horses of the American West.
The Mustang was an instant success, introducing the “pony car” concept to the market. It was known for its sleek design, various engine options, and affordability, appealing to a young and free-spirited generation. Giddyap!
The Mustang has a tremendous history. A popular car for drag racing, its success led to the launch of multiple competitors from other American manufacturers, including the Chevrolet Camaro and the Pontiac Firebird.
