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Cars & Coffee 1.14.12

Quantity over Quality this weekend, when we first pulled up we figured it’d be an amazing turnout since there was a line to get in on the “show” entrance (we brought the FF and 430) – rather than wait, we just decided to park in the structure to see what all the fuss was about. Apparently, it was attack of the 1M’s…LOL. Found a few interesting cars though (no offense to 1M owners – keep in mind I drive a beater ///M3)

I’ve seen this car off and on for about 7 years now – Rosso Dino (Orange) Stradale w/Grey interior. 2 owner car last time I checked. I’m a Lambo guy at heart, but if I were to buy a Stradale, this would be it.

Here it is back at Crystal Cove on 9/2005…yes, stalker status. I’m pretty much a walking carfax when it comes to certain special cars and Gallardo’s of course. There’s a Mexico Blue Stradale out there I’d be down with as well LOL.

Seeing a lot of Yellow Scuderia’s on the market now…sort of goes along with this weeks “colorful” blog-lineup LOL.

Another car I see a lot of that is just straight awesome LOL. F355 on Hamann PG3’s…and since it has a cassette, I could rock my old mix tapes LOL. Please hammer don’t hurt em.

Gorgeous F40. Nothing like roll-up manual windows, no climate control and no radio – because you don’t care, because you’re in an F40…In fact, I don’t believe the F40/50/Enzo had electric windows. I’ll have to check that.

On our way to my favorite place for breakfast (insert Lee’s here) – I traded up spots and sat shotgun in Tony’s ///M3 so I could get a few moving shots of the FF/430.

Turns heads everywhere…such a cutting edge design for Ferrari.

Still love the 430 as well, check that hard line…and it MIGHT be for sale apparently – don’t sell it Rod!

On another note, if you’re visiting my blog from another country – I’d like to hear from you! Analytics are showing hits everywhere – from Dubai to New Zealand to Japan. Hit me via email – you might get something cool!

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Tactorri…Tragedy.

Let me start off by saying it’s a free country and that’s what makes America great. Free will, you can do WHATEVER you want and who cares what other people think right? BUT, I’m also allowed my opinion and I have to say, I’m HIGHLY torn on what we’re looking at here. On one hand, I have to say – crazy build, respect since you’re rocking a Donut Derelicts Jacket (An original C&C for Hot Rodders that’s older than I am) and it looks like you really took your time on this car – it’s complete. On the other hand, I wanna say…you did WHAT with Gallardo parts on a MUSTANG?!?? Those who read my blog know I’m a Gallardo fanatic, so this one hurts more than a swift kick to the nuts from shaquille o’neal wearing combat boots. Is this what it felt like for Dan Gilbert when LeBust left for Miami? It was like be a part of an episode of Jerry Springer, but unfortunatley YOU ARE THE FATHER. It took me a full day to even comprehend what I was looking at…some of the pics are shaky because I was tearing up thru the viewfinder.

It started off so innocent – “Hey, wonder why everyone is around that old Mustang…looks clean, nice paint…”

Hey! He’s rocking Callistos…I have those in my garage! LOL (seriously) – oh…he has the calipers too (don’t have those) this is…interesting.

Whoa Whoa…Gallardo interior…(at this point I’m getting scared, I’m guessing it’s like that anticipation of getting your prostate checked *I’m too young* and the new doctor comes in and he’s 6’7 and his name is Maurice)

Go around the back…and yep, that’s a Gallardo motor. V10 in your face ROXAS. WHAT!! I was sort of swaying back and forth at this point, saying “no,no,no,no” to myself in my head (or probably out loud), my buddy that came with me stepped back because he probably thought I was gonna go China businessman on it. (Click the link if you don’t know)

The owner opened “the trunk” for us…I was going to leave him my heart in there, because he had already pulled it out like Indiana Jones and the temple of doom.

and to finish it off, the Gallardo taillights with Gallardo style rear end.

So. Looking introspectively – it’s really an amazing build. (I’m a bit calmer now) – It’s not like he ripped apart a complete Gallardo… (I saw the personal picture album he displayed) and EVERYONE deserves respect on their builds, I mean the quality was very solid. Can you tell I’m REALLY trying here? He probably paid a lot of money for this! I respect the fact that he went after this project, but I don’t have to like it! LOL.

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Cars & Coffee 1.7.12

First Cars & Coffee of the New Year and it was a great start to 2012. (2)SLS Roadsters, Scuderia on BBS F1’s, (2)CGT’s – including Seinfelds…Let’s take a look.

Clean Designo White SLS

Paint matched wheel face…nice OEM touch.

8 years old and still killing it on the daily. F1 sound, style unlike any other…and sinister in black.

Targa top as well, so best of both worlds. I love this car.

Clean black SLS roadster from EuroCar. Aftermarket mesh wheels – not bad! Blood red interior.

Morgan – are these still built on wood frames? Such a cool cruiser. As a friend mentioned, great car to go out to dinner in.

Sweet dash. Q-Citura style interior 🙂

White Scuderia on some BBS F1’s…NICE! Great wheel choice both performance and styling wise…

Caught him just as he was leaving. Only Scuderia I’ve seen with F1’s aside from Jason Tang’s.

On the next row…whaddaya know, another set of F1’s! Nice fitment on a 1M.

I believe Hella Flush would approve.

At first glance, my buddy that was with me asked “Is that the title on the car? Why would you do that? So cheesy…so what, he OWNS his car?” I agreed, but figured there’d have to be a reason.

Upon closer inspection, ahh…it was Jerry Seinfelds old CGT! Seinfeld is a known Porsche Fanatic.

Bright white G on Superleggera’s….someday…soon.

Ariel Atom…2 seater F1 fun.

Mean HotRod on the way out…

Great start to 2012, nothing beats Cars & Coffee on Saturday mornings…just ask this kid holding the Venti.

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MONSTER Markup.

As a sports car enthusiast, you’re well aware of the term “markup” as the most anticipated new models always go for a premium…hell, when I bought my 02′ ///M3 in October of 2001 I paid a $2K markup LOL, so it’s not just exotics that demand a higher price. I’ve seen 458’s go for $30K over, even GT2RS’ and GT3RS’ at their peak can demand easily a double digit markup. LP670-4’s, Aventadors…all when first released, usually have a markup.
NOTE: All pics were taken w/iPhone.

Then there’s this…a $350K markup, pics sent from a friend recently….yes, that’s $350,000 markup.

The car itself, as you can see is “only” $170K, so it’s asking double it’s price in markup. As I racked my brain to think of what car currently demands that kind of markup – my buddy tells me they turned down his offer for $150K over! So after all this, I’m thinking – man, what sportscar in the $170K range demands that kind of markup? I couldn’t figure it out.

Then I got these.

Hmm…Bentley style interior, but I don’t know of a Bentley that’s only $170K.

Yacht quality craftsmanship…

Monster rear entertainment? Couldn’t be Maybach, they’re going OOB.

Aside from the wheel which was a dead giveaway – I knew what this was once I saw the vents…

Checkout that deck! LOL.

Yep, it’s a Range Rover. Ultimate Edition.

Completely nuts if you ask me, they bolt on some extra fancy parts and you charge a full Ferrari 458 in markup? Who’s gonna go for that? Apparently they do have buyers if they’re turning down $150K over!

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Friggin Fantastic – Ferrari FF

About a week ago, I got a call from a good friend asking me my thoughts about the Ferrari FF.

Friend: “Albert, what do you think of the FF, was just offered one of the first in the Country”
Me: “I dunno man, Do you REALLY REALLY like that car?” – “the shooting brake style is crazy, but the avg person will think it’s a BMW…which can be good or bad depending upon what you want LOL”
Friend: “Gotta try every new F-Car that comes out – not gonna pay $$$ over MSRP for Aventador”
Me: (Making a screaming face at the sky because I want him to get an Aventador) – “Go for it in that case…”
Friend: “Are you in town for C&C next weekend?”

Pretty much the same convo before his 599, 458 and so on LOL. I have to find a way to get him back to the dark side…

So here we are, the first set of customer delivered Ferrari FF pics – I have to say, honestly…it’s one of the most gorgeous cars I’ve seen in person and I’ve seen em all in person LOL. If you take a first glance at it, you might dismiss it, but the more you look into it – it’s sincerely an amazing future forward car that Ferrari has produced.

Pics don’t do it justice, there are so many awesome lines and curves that only the human eye could capture so elegantly. We spent a lot of time staring at the car.

There’s a slight hint of the 612 here (the car it’s “replacing”) – checkout the long front.

Another angle that I see some 612 in.

I love this profile. Rear 3/4 is just straight amazing. High, full featured rear fenders (which incidentally is why that box is needed in the trunk) give such an aggressive 4WD stance – you’d think the thing could launch off of a ramp ala Tanner Foust/Hotwheels. The rear spoiler and whole back-half of the car is perfection.

Did I mention it seats 4?

Okay honestly, the rear seats are pretty much for little kids or import models (see previous post) – very supportive and sporty though. I really prefer the separation of the seats with the center console, partly out of necessity I’m sure…

Nice cockpit style for the driver, a little surprised they didn’t integrate the nav and radio into the dash ala the 458. But again, this is a GT with bloodlines to the 599 so it does make sense…

Passenger side instrument panel (previous post) along with FF emblem…nice touch.

3 buttons for Tranny, similar to 458 – Ferrari likes things in 3’s…3 button tranny, 3 buttons above for A/C, 3 vents…

Full rear-3/4 shot. Here’s where I’m sure people see “M Coupe” or “Shoe” as it was so lovingly called. Only thing is, this would obliterate an M coupe…and pretty much anything else.

Tighter shot of that rear 3/4.

Top rear 3/4 …amazing.

See ya.

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Merry Christmas Eve all…

It’s nights like these that I realize how truly lucky I am. The morning started off with a buddy of mine coming by to pick me up in the first customer delivered Ferrari FF in California…love it or hate it – like Kanye West, people talk about it. Ferrari’s 4WD, 4-Seater (hence the FF) 12 Cylinder monster is pretty “cray” LOL. Artist friends like AW and Jon Sibal love the “shooting brake” design, while others think it’s a BMW M Coupe. Trust me, it’s very much a Ferrari…pulls like a 599, has the same “GT” feel. Seats in the rear are basically for children or young import models (all you RJ). Trunk is surprisingly decent, although a portion of it seems to be used by the rear transaxle? – Carpeted Box shaped object…I’ll have to google it later.

Along with my other buddy’s F430 (yeah, lucky to have 2 Ferrari’s to scoop me on the way to C&C), we headed over to C&C to see what was going on there and then off to my usual breakfast destination – Lee’s LOL. I’m probably the only guy that could convince Ferrari owners to #1. Eat at Lee’s – #2. Park at Lee’s so I’ll be expecting my marketing check in the mail LOL.

BTW, I have a full shoot scheduled with the FF on Monday so stay tuned for more pics and info!

After Lee’s I came home and drove over to drop off some gifts, then spent the rest of the day with Wen and Mochi, scooping up a few last minute gifts and apparently ruining a surprise that I was getting a new Single Speed bike for Christmas (whoops!) – we’re now watching TV and chilling, talking with another friend of mine in Thailand who is spending Christmas overseas and totally procrastinating in wrapping the last minute gifts and other stuff…but all good problems to have. We’re in a warm house, we have lots of family and friends and are looking forward to a wonderful Christmas day – I hope everyone is enjoying the same night that I am. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your family.

PS – This is my favorite holiday story of the year…check it out here. Layaway Angels 🙂

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AR*SuperCarPack 2011.

I have a bunch of updates but have been crazy busy closing out the year…so I apologize for the lack of content as of late. Now, if you really know me, you know I tend to be a hotwheels freak. In fact, Wendy says I could be on an episode of “hoarders” when it comes to car related toys in general LOL, but there’s a reason behind the madness. One thing that I’ve noticed in all my years of hotwheel buying, is that #1 – Hotwheels doesn’t make a whole lot of “real” cars – real exotic cars…that was Matchbox’s niche. #2 – the supercars are hard to find and you could never get a really good set together…so I decided to make one and give a few sets away to the supporters of albertroxas.com 🙂 For 2011, the makes/models include:

Lamborghini Estoque
Ferrari F430 Spyder
Porsche GT3 RS
Ferrari 458
BMW M3 GT Cup Car
Lamborghini LP570-4 Superleggera
Porsche 997 GT2

The AR*SuperCarPack for 2011 will include 6 of these in one box – don’t be bummed if you don’t get a SuperCarPack, there’s always next year…and also, I will be sending out individual cars to friends and colleagues, but again – all real cars, all handpicked and purchased by me throughout the year.

PS – if you read my blog and you didn’t get a car, drop me a line with your addy – I’ll make sure to get one out to you, I have more than enough LOL.

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FR-S Release – Set Design.

Ever wonder – “How’d they do that?” It’s amazing to see how much time and effort goes into these events – the attention to detail and execution really shows during the introduction and it’s usually a one shot deal. Here’s a quick look into the design for the Scion FR-S event; shows how a great concept became reality.

All of my graphic design and artist friends will love this – check it!

As most of you’ve seen from the pics and video, it was a great presentation. Love the heritage cars, the graphic intro and the overall presence of the vehicles. Special thanks to Mike@02 for sending these over. Great stuff.

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Scion FR-S Reveal

About a week ago I got an invite from my buddy Jon Sibal to checkout the Scion FR-S. Keep in mind, the last reveal I went to was the Aventador release which incidentally was a year ago exactly. Apples and oranges, I know – but the excitement from the aftermarket community and Hachi-roku lovers everywhere (including myself) easily made this just as hot of a ticket – for sure I was gonna go! LOL. Hot cars seem to private preview right around my bday each year…coincidence?

We bailed Irvine at 5:30P (hey, I wanted to leave at 5:15) knowing that the doors would close at 7:45P – No exceptions. With my penchant for attracting traffic, I wanted to leave enough time to get there – park the car, talk smack and get settled. We scooped up RJ at his pad near the 405 which worked out as all the traffic seemed to be off the 5 freeway anyways. iPhone Maps showed the 5 fwy route to be 2 hours and 38 min with traffic, but the 405 route was only 58 minutes. We jumped on the 405 and were straight mashing down the freeway with no issues. Talk consisted of the latest trends, missing the old school days and why the heck was I at Macy’s on Thanksgiving night LOL.

When we hit the 101, traffic came to a crawl…it was about 6:30 and we still had a good hour and 15 to get about 20 or so miles…should be fine right? LOL. 7:30 comes around and we’re still a good 30 minutes away. GAH. Jon is trying to stay calm, but I could tell he was getting sketched as I asked him and RJ to map out another option. We end up exiting first and try to cut along the 101 via sidestreets. We hit Melrose right at 7:45 and we’re all laughing an joking because Imma bout to tell the guys at the door I have the Legends of Tuning with me so let me in. I mean seriously, I’ve got the Scion IQ winner sitting shotgun and RJ Devera in the back – you’re gonna let us in…right?!? LOL. On top of all this, the wind had put all kinds of stuff on the road so driving became even more challenging LOL. We pull up to the spot (after 2 cars almost hit us on the way) and we straight valet my car. Yes, I had to valet. As we hit the door, the guy points at me and is like “This is the last guy”…WHOOT. I didn’t even have time to grab my valet ticket, luckily I walked back out and they gave me the next numbered ticket.

A quick check-in and we were in…FINALLY.

The main entry had 2 bars, an FR-S under a black cloth (we’d find out later this was modified by Greddy) an AE86, HPI racing course and Gran Turismo 5 w/the FRS in-game.

The hump at the top should’ve been a tell tale sign, but I thought this was the only room and thus that was the only car.

I was wrong. LOL.

Left side of the main ramp had a 2000GT, TS800 and a Supra.

Right side – Levin, LFA, and MR-2 Turbo*

Pretty much every grail car a Toyota lover could ask for…

Because we got in so late, Jon and I were positioned behind the 2000GT.

Jack Hollis – Scion VP about to give his spiel, from this angle we could see what he was going to say which was pretty funny as time went by.

Amped? Yes…I valet’d my car for this Jack. Let’s see the car already.

Turn around! Turn around!!

Look real close at this picture LOL. Greg and Krist apparently realized I was shooting from this corner at the time LOL!

A closer look LOL. BTW ladies, Krist is available but Greg is taken. Sorry.

And here it is…

Everything is branded around this 2 piston 86 logo. <3

Rear shot – the fun of shooting with shadows LOL. I do some great shadow puppets…ask Kirby.

Back in the other room they took the cover off the Greddy Tuned FR-S in a nice black pearl…haaaaar.

Rays wheels…I’m down.

Jon and RJ placing a gentlemans bet (mental note: don’t ever bet against Sibal) regarding the base price of the FR-S. Jon originally wanted the loser to wear a dress (whuuuuuuut?) but I gave them a more mellow idea LOL. Jon takes his bets seriously and RJ and I were looking at each other like – is he for real? haha

In the midst of all this, I won a mini RC XD! LOL. We’re all kickin it and we hear my name (pronounced correctly!) and whaddaya know – it was Jarod Deanda calling out the names! LOL. Thanks Jarod – you’re better than Autoblog.

After the event we got my car back (shocker!) and headed off to get some ramen with some of RJ’s buddies. We hitup Ikemen known for the dip ramen…(too easy LOL). The food was good and little did I know I was amongst the guy who brought Gran Turismo to the US, a writer for Road and Track, and the CEO of Greddy. All great people and good times…this is truly what the aftermarket industry is about. BTW, special thanks to Jon Sibal for the invite and Kenji for the Ramen! Arigato Gozaimasu!

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Blame it on the rain…

Aside from the McLaren Dealer demo’s that came out, the rain seemed to keep Ferrari owners away from C&C this past weekend (inside joke) actually, not many exotics showed up at all. I was heading to Lee’s and happened to have my camera on my passengers seat (normally packed away in the trunk) while hopping on the 405 and saw an SLR and Veyron…huh? Yes. An SLR and a Veyron. In the rain.

Yep, that’s my windshield wiper in the shot LOL.

Dealer plates…

Last shot before my exit 😉

Nice to see these guys driving these things in inclement weather. That’s straight gangster right there. Remember, not driving your sportscar is like saving your girlfriend for the next guy LOL.