PRETTY CARS

This post is going to be about, as the title says, pretty cars. Everyone always talks about the newest supercar with however much horsepower and a something point something 0-60 time, and then adds, "and it doesn't even look bad either". So tonight, I put mechanic specifications aside for the most part and decided to talk purely about what I think are the best looking supercars of all time, in no particular order.

First is the Bugatti EB110 SS.

With Gandini scissor doors and a carbon fibre body sculpted to what appears to be aerodynamic perfection, this car was the definition of functional beauty. Only 139 were made during the four year production that started on my birthday...sort of, September 15, 1991. Although, having a quad turbo V12 and a 213 MPH top speed, I'm not totally sure the people that bought a EB110, including Michael Schumacher, bought it for its looks, and unfortunately in 1995, with Bugatti's bankruptcy and liquidation, the EB110 was no more. Of the small amount that were produced, even fewer remain due to them constantly being wrecked, even though a company named Dauer still produces replacement parts after purchasing the cars rights from Bugatti through said liquidation. And in case anyone wonders what a 1992 Bugatti EB110 "Veyron" SS would look like, I made a "rendering" thanks to my favourite game, Forza Horizon.

Next is a car that I found a little while ago and its based off of a Dodge Viper ACR-X using the same 8.4 Liter V10. It is the Alfa Romeo TZ3 Stradale Zagato. Besides having the usual Italian name, it is beautiful, as are most Italian cars. While quite obviously being based off a Viper, given away by the wheelbase and wheel diameter, not to mention engine noise and the looks to a certain point, this limited production (9 to be exact) model was originally based off the Alfa TZ3 Corsa built as a one off to celebrate its 100th anniversary. That was based off the 8C though and all 9 Zagatos and the Corsa are spoken for, given to specific people by Alfa's execs and are not allowed for resale and are also not located in the US.

The Lexus LFA, a car that I've always been in love with since concept designs back in 2006, had to make the list. Putting aside the cars performance and how much detail and effort went into this car's electronics, Toyota still took their sweet time making this car perfect, scrapping the whole original production when one, seemingly small thing was considered unacceptable. Taking a loss on every single one they sold, and taking into account that I can still find 2011 and 2012 models still being sold as NEW from dealers that can't get rid of them, I think this has been a very underrated car.  500 cars built with the 4.8L V10 that made that beautiful rumbling hum that I can't get enough of, and one roadster concept that never made it anywhere because Toyota just thought that was too much. The body was made out of a new, specially designed carbon fibre reinforced material thats cured by Toyota, for Toyota, and is not currently being used in any production models. Below, you can see the first and second concept models as well as the final Nurburgring Edition of the LFA produced until December 2012 when it went out of production, but like I said, you can still find newish un-owned versions still sitting in Lexus showrooms around the world. I found a 2011 white LFA claimed as "new" with only 16 miles on it, so you can still get one if you have $350,000.

This next company has made many beautiful cars through the years, but I am really concentrating on the Lamborghini Countach, Lamborghini Sesto Elemento, and the Lamborghini Miura Concept from 2006. Now there is no easy way to describe why I think I car is beautiful. I'm not good with words. If I was, I'd be writing books or magazine articles instead of this blog, but its more then just beauty for me, its when a company takes the time with the car to make it perfect or when its made to commemorate a special occasion, like putting on a tie for your graduation or wedding. But the Countach was produced for 16 years with little change except for federal bumpers being added to the US Spec 5000QV and the engine becoming more powerful through different versions. Designed by Gandini (also responsible for the Bugatti doors) when he was with Bertone, who have been responsible for making beautiful special editions out of everything from a Volvo 760 to the Corvette which they turned into the Mantide. The fastest of the production Countachs was able to reach 205 MPH, just in case anyone was wondering about performance.

The 2006 Miura Concept was a one off to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the original Miura's production in 1966. Being a Murcielago, but with a custom modern interpretation of the Miura, it had astounding performance figures compared to the original, but according to Lamborghini execs, it was more about the looks and the Miura would not come back because "Lamborghini is about the future; retro design is not the future" said CEO Stefan Winkelmann. The real shame is that it was never even road or track tested, but it'll be on display in the Lamborghini museum for us to stare at for the rest of time.

The Lamborghini Sesto Elemento is a limited run (20 track only) race built, carbon fibre Gallaro, all of which were built in 2011 but not sold until the middle of last year. There is no paint on this car, but rather the red speckles are actually from the lightweight metals combined with the carbon fibre in certain paneling on the car. Despite the 570 HP V10 and AWD and even a semi auto paddle shift gearbox, it weighs only about as much as a Mini Cooper thanks to practically everything being made out of the sixth element (sesto elemento) carbon....fibre.

Finally, and I kind of saved the best for last, is the Ferrari 250. Every car lover has seen this car in one form or another. Be it the California from Ferris Bueller's Day Off, or the Testa Rossa or the GTO, it doesn't matter. They are all very beautiful and very, VERY expensive. There are over 22 versions and I spent a while today searching through pictures of all of them to decide which one I thought looked the best. It was hard. But I had to go with the 250 GT Berlinetta SWB (short wheel base). This car also had some different versions, being made with either a aluminum or steel body in both road and race models. They are still found racing today, often in charity rallies, but this car seems more of a show piece. A car you build a whole new wing in you garage for. I would buy it, I would keep it, I would get a comfy leather chair to sit in while I look at it and a bulk supply of high end microfiber diapers to wipe it with every hour, but would I drive it? I guess if I ever get $8 million, I'd have to strongly consider it for a while.