By Michael Berenis

Tampa Sports Car Examiner

It’s sad to see a classic burn, especially a priceless 1957 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith. A legendary vehicle built for royalty and presidential caravans somehow ended up on the side of Atlanta’s I-285 burning to a crisp. What could have caused this fire? See more vehicle fires at Tampa Sports Car Examiner.

By Michael Berenis

Tampa Sports Car Examiner

The 1970s Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow was no sports car, and putting it up against “The Ring” is like trying to ride a drunken elephant through a fine China shop. However, with the right driving technique even this massive land beast can be as nimble as a mouse. Using weight to its advantage, the luxurious suspension allowed the Rolls to live up to its name and effectively roll through the corners. It’s not setting any Nürburgring records, but it is fun to watch. Read more about the Rolls-Royce Nürburgring experience at Tampa Sports Car Examiner.

By John Coyle

Deputy Editor

O’Gara Coach specializes in Aston Martin, Bentley, Bugatti and Rolls-Royce, and the showroom is even more mind-blowing than you’d expect an exotic car dealership in Beverly Hills to be. Seriously, just check out the photo below. A Koenigsegg CCX is on the left, a Bugatti Grand Sport is on the right, toward the center of the shot there’s a Lamborghini Reventon and a Pagani Zonda R, and in the back corner, there’s another Veyon and an LP670 SV. I mean, come on. Aside from SEMA, I’ve never seen so many rare high-dollar exotics in one place, and it was really cool watching the staff shuffle all the million-dollar metal around. One thing that struck me was how mild-mannered the Grand Sport sounded. Apparently, Bugattis are total pussy cats until you mash the throttle, at which point you produce a sonic boom. But even in the midst of such distinguished company, I was totally hypnotized by the track-only  Zonda R. It looks like something that escaped from Area 51, and when I closed the carbon fiber door, it was so light I was momentarily disoriented, like if I’d gone to move a boulder and discovered it was made of foam. When it was being pushed into the showroom, one of the folks on hand described it perfectly: “It looks like the Batmobile just did a line of coke.” I wish I’d come up with that. Watch some videos of these awesome machines after the jump, and head over to the events section to check out all my photos.

Continue reading "O’Gara Coach: So Much Awesome it Hurts" »

By Alex Vickers

Katakuna

Okay, I admit that seeing such a vehicle doesn’t really have the same effect on me as it did before I joined CarDomain. But seeing one out in the middle of nowhere, in mint condition and with the steering wheel on the wrong side still evokes a dropped jaw or two. Not only was it the first time I’d ever seen a Rolls-Royce up close, but it was also the first right-side-drive vehicle I’ve ever seen in person.

Continue reading "Rolls-Royce in Kentucky? AND It’s Right-Side Drive?" »

By Jen Dunnaway

Editor

Really? Is this how you’d want to be remembered? As the chump who got hauled off to his grave in a tarted-up Lincoln Town Car on cheap 22′s with a fake Rolls front clip? Hell, yes. The seller claims that at its most recent funeral, this converted hearse had folks lining up to get their picture taken with it. Classy! Never mind that the interior looks like it’s out of a junkyard Crown Vic. Check out the eBay auction here.

By Fireball Tim

Movie Car Design Master

Yea, big day on the movie car front. My buddy, Fly, and his cohort Pat Devereux from Top Gear Magazine came by the shop to shoot some stuff for an upcoming issue. (Hope I didn’t break the camera.)

Also, first trailer for Disney’s Sorcerer’s Apprentice featuring a beauty Rolls Royce built by CVS. Sweet ride that morphs into something else. Looks like a good flick. I’m wiped.

Continue reading "Big Movie Car Day with Fireball" »

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Apparently Rolls-Royce is getting ready to jump on the EV bandwagon and will offer an electric Phantom late next year. This will most likely be a lease only program in a few select cities. Via Autoblog Green

By Dan Strohl

Hemmings

One of these has been haunting Pebble Beach for a few years, complete with a pair of externally mounted spares sunk into the trunklid. Doesn’t seem this particular Silver Shadow has that external-spare option, but it does come with racing history, having been entered in the 1981 Paris-Dakar rally. And it’s now for sale on Hemmings.com for $230,000. Continue reading at Hemmings

By Fireball Tim

Movie Car Design Master

You know, when you see a movie star, you immediately think of the roles they’ve played and the cool movies they’ve been in. But, you don’t think “Hey, that guy has to eat, right?” I mean, watching Tom Hanks or Cher walking down the dog food aisle at Ralph’s isn’t normal, you know what I’m saying? Or, is it?

The answer is a definite “yes.” These people have to eat, just like the rest of us shmo’s. Not all of them send “their people” to go shopping for food. They actually head to the store themselves in their cool rides and get what they need.

And that, makes them kinda regular people. Kinda. Well, some of them. The regulars are Dick Van Dyke, Hanks, Cruise, George C. Scott (when he wasn’t dead), Big Wave Surfer Laird Hamilton and a few others. The not so regular ones are Sly, Ryan O’Neill and his cracked out son …and Angelina. NOT NORMAL.

But, this is about cars. Cool cars at Ralph’s. I mean, where else are you gonna drive your Classic Rolls to get sardines and TP? Got a Thunderbird, get some bird food. Slammed Black Caddy? Pick up some licorice. Nissan Cube? Um… HOW’D THAT GET IN THERE!?

And me? What do I buy? Chocolate. Any and EVERY chance I get. Period. Check out some rides I’ve spotted while getting my fix after the jump.

Continue reading "Yes, the Rich Have to Eat. Kinda." »

By John Coyle

Deputy Editor

This car show in Seattle’s Magnolia neighborhood had been held for years, and it’s become a favorite of local residents, gearhead and non-gearhead alike. While no cars are turned away from this event—there’s no GoodGuys-style pre-1972 rule here—there certainly wasn’t any junk on display. Along with a ’60s-era Ferrari 250 GT, there were a couple of classic Rolls-Royces, a ’30s Dodge truck sporting a new Viper motor, and plenty of sweet custom jobs. All in all, it was a great show, and since it was free, we couldn’t complain about the price. Head over to the events section to check out the photos.