By Mike Musto

RideLust.com

Automobile design is a very subjective thing. To the designer, that carefully crafted shape may be their crowning achievement. But the public might just see it as terrible. Some designs are inviting, they bring on carefree feelings and let the world know that you are always in a good mood. Others look downright angry and pissed off and exude attitude and presence. These are my favorites. I spent a few moments digging through the internet to bring you some seriously wicked looking automobiles. Cars that look as though they’d not only beat up your car on a whim, but afterward they’d go back to your house, beat up your Dad and kick his Oldsmobile in the grill. They’re mean and nasty looking with an “FU” attitude… In short, they’re awesome.

1. 1959 Buick LeSabre

Just look at those headlights, the swooping brow and sculpted hood line. This car makes most people quiver in fear and most cars run for the garage. Hell, even painted pink it would probably still kick the shit out of you. It would just do it in a tutu.

Read the rest over at Ridelust.com

I’d driven by this car a few times over the last year or so and had always wanted to stop and check it out. So Jen and I swung by on the way back from our field trip to West Seattle High (Jen busted an awesome u-turn in the Eagle and almost knocked over someone’s yard waster container on the parking strip). I was pretty torn over whether this is a ’58 or a ’59, but I’m pretty sure it’s a ’59. Not sure how long it’s been sitting or how often it gets driven, but it seems to be fairly well loved. Still, I hate to see cool old cars like this parked out in the elements. But then garage space ain’t cheap in Seattle, so there you are. A bunch more pics after the jump.

Continue reading "Mercury Monclair in West Seattle" »

If you think this ride looks like a dune buggy, well, you’re half right. This 1959 Fiat 500 is now rolling on a shortened VW Bug chasis, and it’s powered by a potent 1600cc VW powerplant. The thing I find alternately impressive and confusing about this automotive love-child is its stance. While it’s a little high for a Beetle or Fiat, somehow, works. Personally, I think this concoction would make a great rush hour commuter. Current bid is at $1001.02 with a "Buy It Now" price of $7,500.

Since the Big Three have been crying incessantly about the new CAFE standards, it’s always interesting to see something which points out just how long they’ve been asleep at the wheel. Way back in 1973, Shell—yup, that Shell—sponsored a contest to see who could make the most fuel efficient car. The winner was this 1959 Opel T-1, which achieved a mind-numbing 376MPG while traveling at 30MPH. The secret was light weight, hard, low-resistance tires, and an innovative fuel system which fed the little four banger leaned-out gas vapor. Until recently, this masterpiece had been languishing in a museum at Talladega Superspeedway, conveniently forgotten by champion whiners like the General’s Bob Lutz. But fortunately, Seattle car aficionado Evan McMullen has just plucked it from obscurity. McMullen, who owns the Emerald City’s Cosmopolitan Motors, is no car-hating tree-hugger. Over the years his sales floor been home to numerous Bugattis, Ferraris, and rarities like the Jaguar XJ220, so it’s pretty cool to see him trying to keep folks honest about the possibilities for fuel-efficient cars. Read more at the Seattle PI.

By Jen

Editor

Street Rods Only has created one of the most seamless fastback conversions I’ve ever seen. This 1959 Corvette runs a 550hp supercharged LS2 motor through a Cadillac 6-speed trans. The custom fastback is in fact an entire removable fiberglass hardtop, allowing the Vette to convert easily for top-down cruising. Recently completed, the cost of making the molds for this conversion reportedly cost the company close to $80,000. But the fastback, which takes its styling cues from the later Stingray roofline while still harmonizing perfectly with the classic styling of the pre-60′s Vette, is clearly worth every penny of this kit’s hefty retail price tag. Take a look at this ride’s beautifully-detailed interior to get an idea of what that fastback top looks like from the inside.