2011 Wheels Across The Pond Car Show, Coming Soon!

That's right, don your driving scarf and goggles and wave your Union Jack proudly because the 5th annual Wheels Across the Pond British Car and Bike Show is coming one again to Jupiter's Carlin Park!

Wheels Across the Pond is a car show held annually since 2006, usually catering strictly to classic British cars and bikes. Everything from a big Jag to a tiny Mini can be seen at any given time. However since 2009 the car has featured a Euro class which caters to non British cars like Alfa Romeo, Porsche and Bugatti.

The show has also started a tradition of having a "Star Guest" attend the show, with last years star being five time Le Man winner Derek Bell and his 1982 Rothman's Porsche 956 Le Mans winning race car.

This year the event will celebrate the 50th birthday of the Jaguar XKE sports car, otherwise known as the E-Type. The show will take place April 23rd at Carlin Park in Jupiter. Admission for spectators is free and car registration is 25 dollars and $12.50 for bikes

So come to Carlin Park and see the best of British Leyland and the Euro Automotive world at the 5th Annual Wheels Across The Pond.

On the Auction Block: 1933 Ford Roadster

Welcome to another chapter of my "On The Auction Block" Series of entries where i show you some of the cars that stood out at the 2011 Palm Beach County Auction. For this entry were looking at a custom rod that's hot enough to burn your wallet to ashes...

This is a 1933 Ford Roadster completely rodded inside and out. The exterior features shaved components such as emblems, door handles, bumpers and trim, along with custom 17 inch wheels in the front and 20s in the rear, all of them wearing low profile tires. Most noticeable on the car is the PPG black paint job with the true fire flame job on the front.

The interior is also custom with red color everywhere. The flame job also continues to the window sills as well as the dash. A chrome, leather wrapped steering wheel completes the look. The engine is a supercharged GM LS6 crate motor that's also been given the flame treatment

This roadster didn't sell sadly, and honestly I'm not surprised. I would definitely be intimidated to buy a car with a 20,000 dollar paint and flame job, let alone drive it.

On The Auction Block: 1959 Cadillac 62 Convertible

Welcome to another chapter of my "On The Auction Block" series of photos where I showcase some of the classic iron that stood out at the 2011 Palm Beach Auto Auction. For this entry we look at probably the most recognized design ever released by Cadillac...

This is a 1959 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible, one of the models of the most stylish year in Cadillac's history. 1959 is considered to be the plateau of American car designs, and the 59 Cadillac model series was proof of this golden year. For starters, the front end was massive with its double decker grille separated by a horizontal chrome strip, as well as its four headlight, four driving light setup.

The most prominent and well known feature of a 1959 Cadillac was its signature rear end styling, with two enormous tailfins featuring bullet taillights, and a second grille for the back. The aircraft like fins were first implemented on the 1948-49 Cadillac and was inspired by the Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter plane of WWII, who’s twin boom fuselage greatly influenced the appearance.
　
　
This car was worth $5,455 in 1959. Im not actually sure if, in today’s money that would be more or less than the $68,000 dollar price range it sold for at the auction. Its worth it though, to be able to drive a car, designed by someone with an art degree rather than an accountant.

On the Auction Block: 2011 Dodge Challenger "Sox & Martin"

Hello and welcome to another feature of my "On the Auction Block" series where i show cars that stood out from the crowd at the 2011 Palm Beach Auction. For this entry we have a brand new muscle car made to evoke the image of a 1/4 mile demon from the 70s.

This is a 2011 Dodge Challenger dressed up in the colors of the well known Sox & Martin drag racing team. It featured a 'Cuda front and rear appearance change, a 5.7 liter Hemi engine, six speed manual with pistol grip shifter, and custom billet wheels.

Since Ronnie Sox & Buddy Martin mostly used Plymouths as platforms for their funny cars, the designers of this commemorative car took it to the next level, fitting custom front and rear clips turning the Challenger into a modern version of  the 1971 'Cuda.

Plans are to make a series of these Sox and Martin-ised Challengers for the public, and what makes this one special is that its the Serial 1 car, the first one of the line. Definitely a great car to have if you cant afford a real Sox and Martin 'Cuda.

On the Auction Block: 2004 Club Car Custom Rolling Bar

Welcome to another chapter of my "On The Auction Block" series where i showcase cars that stood out at the 2011 Palm Beach County Auction. For this entry we have a car, that's not even a car, but is definitely a way to become the life of the party come tee-off time.

What this thing is, is a Club Car golf cart fitted with a custom fiberglass body turning it into a mini 34 Ford Panel truck hot rod. It certainly has the look of a classic hot rod. However its not just the looks that separate this from other golf carts. The features it has definitely adds to its fun factor and include a marine AM/FM radio, wood grain dash, turn signals and tilt steering. However the best features on this cart mostly involve liquid refreshment..

Up front there is a 35 can capacity cooler under the hood with another ice chest in the back. Also in the back you will find the chip racks as well as the liquor bar which can hold 6 bottles upside down on tap, something I'm sure Tiger Woods could use during that frustrating game.

This cart is one of a kind and did sell at the auction for around the $14,000 dollar mark. I really wish i had the money for it. Id definitely make it look better by painting it in FAU Owls colors!.

On the Auction Block: 1978 Chevrolet Blazer "Vic Hickey" Edition

Welcome to another chapter of "On the Auction Block" where i showcase cars that stood out at the 2011 Palm Beach Auction. This time we have a tricked out classic SUV built before vehicles like this became the ride of choice for soccer moms.

What we got here is a 1978 Chevrolet "Trail" Blazer, tricked out with some off road goodies. Now lifted and custom trucks aren't exactly unique down here in South Florida. But what makes this truck unique is that all of the after market off road goodies are just as old as the truck itself, installed during the glory days of custom trucks and vans.

The truck was customised by Vic Hickey, a custom off road vehicle designer who did alot of work on GM vehicles including coming up with the design for the Blazer itself. He also was the leading designer behind the creation of the Lunar Rover as well as what would be known as the Humvee.

This truck is completely original inside and out, and by that i mean original the way its customised. Custom features include a bull bar, billet grille, fog lamps, gold painted spare tire rack and taillight guards as well as a 70s black and gold two tone. The interior is also original, though sharp eyed viewers will note the roll cage behind the seats and fire extinguisher as well as the Lev-O-Meter above the speedometer and tach. Nice feature.

On The Auction Block: Custom 1979 Lincoln Continental Mark V.

Welcome to another chapter of my "On the Auction Block" series of entries where i showcase some of the cars that stood out at the 2011 Palm Beach County Auction. This time we have a customized American luxury car which looks like it would be right at home in Issac Hayes's driveway..

Its a 1979 Lincoln Continental Mark V, a stylish 2 door coupe version of the larger 2 and 4 door Continental Sedan. This particular car has been slightly customized into a 70s era "pimpmobile". In this picture some of the optional bling is noticeable like the white wall tires, eagle hood ornament, and roof vizor.

Almost every bit of the car was replaced including every exterior part. It also featured all the bells and whistles we take for granted in our modern rides like cruise control, power windows and power brakes.

Built between 1977 and 1979 the Mark V was the fifth generation Continental based on the platform of its Ford cousin, the Thunderbird. It was offered either with a 400 ci V8, or a bigger 460 ci V8. It also featured what Lincoln called a "Miles to Empty" indicator, the precursor to the distance range display in today's car's trip computer and also the first use of LED technology  in a car's instrument panel.

Seeing this car up close, as well as sitting in it, it was hard to tell that it was a 32 year old car. Everything felt fresh and new, like it just left the showroom. It even effortlessly started up when it was moved back into the staging area. Sad to believe this massive car would soon be shrunk overtime into a posh Ford Taurus.