Fuel magazine launch #1

A few weeks ago, the publisher of Fuel magazine, Luke Ray, dropped into Auto Transformers in Adelaide, celebrating the launch of Issue 10 of Fuel, as well as a DVD documentary film.

I went along to have a look at some of the fine machinery gathered for the launch party, and here are some photos of the cool rides that showed up. It was a great opportunity to break in my my new Nikon D700 and 50mm f/1.4 combo.

While Fuel mostly focuses on hot rods and customs, there are always some motorbikes thrown into the mix, with a few tidy examples turning up, like this classic Ducati.

A couple of blue Fords with a few decades between them.

 One thing I love about hot rods is that quite often most of the engine is visible, something you can't enjoy in most other cars.

However, there's a plus to having a bonnet on your car, with plenty of interesting statuettes gracing the bonnets of American cars from the 40s, 50s and 60s.

As well as the hot rods, some clean and restored American classics lined up outside the workshop.

 

This 1930s Ford Anglia looked a bit menacing with its matte black paint and hefty rear tyres, and turned out to have a 327 Chev V8 in the engine bay.

It's not going to break any land speed records, but I really like the style of this 1920s Ford pickup, tastefully customised with whitewall tyres, pin-striping and open headers poking out from the engine black.

Buick certainly knew how to design beautiful cars, as this gorgeous 1951 coupe shows.

This custom Ford two door looked quite nice, with an antiquated car phone inside.

As well as the standard road bikes, there were a few heavily modified choppers and cafe racer style motorbikes amongst the cars and throngs of people.

I loved this Ford lakester style rod, very cool look with the red paintwork and white top.

While I was snapping photos of the Ford, this absolutely stunning Chev delivery van pulled in. Again, not exactly a speed demon, but one of the most beautifully restored and clean vehicles there.

I've always had a thing for 1950s pickups, and this tough Ford F-Series is a good example of the style.

While the cars attending were largely American hot rods, classics and customs, a few other nationalities showed up, like this Australian Ford Falcon.

From Europe, a funky looking BMW 2002 coupe.

Buicks certainly changed a lot between the 1950s and 1970s.

More photos coming soon in Post #2...

Random Car Spotting: Toyota JZX100 Chaser

I saw this very tidy looking Chaser back in February 2010. It was parked on the grass in the pit area at Mallala during a drift competition. Despite loads of crazily modified track cars everywhere, this JZX100 really caught my eye while walking past. Normally a brownish/bronze coloured car wouldn't be my cup of tea, but the metallic paint, combined with the tasty dished Work Meister rims, twin exhaust pipes and lowered ride height, makes for one hot looking Chaser.

Usually with random cars I like, there are one or two things that don't strike me as looking quite right, and this car is rare in that I would be happy to park it in my garage as it is. Photos taken with a little Canon Powershot A480 digital compact camera.

Random Car Spotting: Porsche Carrera GT

I took these two photos on the way up to a dietitian's appointment at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, at around 9am. I was driving my parents' little red Corolla hatch, with my dad in the passenger seat down North Terrace, when traffic stopped for a red light next to the Adelaide Railway Station.

With the Classic Targa Adelaide on at the moment, there is a reasonable chance of seeing one of the competing cars at random around town. But it was still a pleasant surprise to have one of the most expensive and rare cars poke its nose out of the Hyatt Hotel driveway. Obviously I hung back so he could come out, and quickly grabbed my little Canon Powershot for a few snaps. I've never seen one before on the streets.

He didn't take much care pulling out onto the road, and I cringed as the front bumper scraped on the ground as he turned onto the road. The main thing that struck me about the car was just how wide and low it was, markedly different to almost any other car around.

With the lights going green a short time later, I paced along near the Carrera GT and a couple of other Porsches that were ahead of it, which you can see in the photos. There was another red light a bit further down, and I pulled up short of other cars in my lane, and managed to grab another shot of the rear quarter. 

After getting a photo with the whole car in the frame and nice sunlight, I stuffed the camera back into my pocket, and continued on to the hospital.

Random Car Spotting: 1969 Dodge Charger R/T

I spotted this 1969 Dodge Charger R/T one Sunday afternoon, while going for a drive down Tapleys Hill Road, heading south. As I neared Jetty Road at Glenelg, a hulking black muscle car waiting to turn right caught my eye. My girlfriend Sally was holding my D90 in the passenger seat, so I quickly made a request that she fire off a few shots of the car as we went past it. She kindly obliged, and fortunately we got stopped at the red light, so I was able to quickly rattle off a few shots before it pulled away.

Compared to all the other 'normal' cars around, this thing looked positively mean, particularly with the deep black paint, meaty tires and tough raked stance. Within a few second it had turned onto Jetty Road and rumbled out of sight, but I was very glad I could at least capture a few shots of such an awesome car. 

I do love a lot of American muscle cars from the 1950s and 1960s especially, and this Charger reminded me why; they don't make cars like this any more.

Photographers: Sally Parker and Rohan Phillips

Camera: Nikon D90

Lens: Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G

Random Car Spotting: Chevrolet HSV Commodore

The modifications on this Commodore strike me as being somewhat confused. I'm not sure what the model is, but it looks to be a Holden Commodore VT, with an HSV bodykit and wheels, a Chevrolet badge and what looks to be a non-functional bonnet scoop. 

I can't tell if this is a V8, but it's not uncommon to see Chevrolet badges on V6 Commodores these days. The unusual colour scheme and 'Apexi' stickers make it a look a little odd...but who knows, there may have been an interesting turbo or supercharger setup underneath the hood.