Ferrari California on display at AutoXO outside Oslo.
Have you ever been inside a Ferrari dealer, - one that sells new Ferraris? - Or Lamborghinis?
London has at least 2 authorized Ferrari dealers and 1 authorized Lamborghini dealer. You can go there to order a brand new car. You just ring the doorbell and you'll be let in to look at the exhibition models. Perhaps see the color swatches and feel the skin samples in the next room, while enjoying a cup of tea...
Or, you can stand outside and look at the models through the glass pane. Alternatively, you can do a virtual visit. Ferrari and Lamborghini have presentations on Google, where there is a Streetview function to move you inside the narrow business premises of Kensington. Click on the images to make a virtual visit to these car dealerships.
HR Owen, Ferrari London, Old Brompton Rd. (Keep the mouse button down and move the mouse where you want to go)Lamborghini London, Old Bromton Rd by South Kensington Station. (Keep the mouse button down and move the mouse where you want to go)
Looking at new cars you can't afford can be a mixed experience. Well, it's nice to see great cars up close, but it's not nice to be reminded that you don't have enough money.
"19,290 kroner per month ," was the sign on a McLaren in the showroom. I was standing outside the premises of AutoXO in Ramstad outside Oslo. It was Sunday, and the shop was closed. I just wanted to take a look. I wasn't alone. There was a stream of people coming in to look at the cars parked outside. From the background chatter, I heard someone who wasn't just stopping by by chance. They seemed to be in buying mode.
It is typical that when a new model appears at a dealer, it disappears with the sales manager on a trip to the cabin instead of being available to potential customers. What do I know? Maybe one of AutoXO's salesmen will bring some cool car to the cabin, for example a Lamborghini Levante? But, on behalf of car enthusiasts in the Oslo area, I really appreciate the beautiful cars that are currently parked close to the Esso station in Ramstad, on the E18 west just after passing Høvik church.
If you don't have the opportunity, you can join me for a viewing here!
Includes a close-up to understand why someone chooses Audi over Lamborghini. And by the way, Audi is cheaper, if you can use such an expression.R8 against a raw Nissan Skyline GT-R driving machine with around 550 HP, or something like that.New Bentleys like this, I don't think there is any brand dealer for them in Norway. However, they are manufactured by Volkswagen, and I think VAG places a lot of prestige in keeping the quality high.Ferrari California with V8 engine. The same 4,3 liters as in the Ferrari 430. The California is more of a Grand Touring with a front-mid engine and not as pure a sports car as the 430.This Ferrari California is before the facelift in 2014. You can see it in details such as the headlights and rear exhaust pipe. Before the facelift, the exhaust pipes were stacked 2 and 2, but after the facelift they run horizontally 2 and 2.McLaren 570S. 3,8 liter V8, 570 HP with 7-speed double clutch gearbox. In the background, inside, a magnificent classic Shelby Mustang.McLaren, 3,8 liter V8, 650 HP with 7-speed double clutch gearbox.McLaren is a pure sports car. With a view towards Ferrari California - and the motorway.
See
Photo Sunday – Cars on display along the roadThe new life of Ferrari?
Tønsberg MC, Tønsberg Automobilklubb and Corvette Club Norway department Vestfold, Telemark and Buskerud exhibited their historic donations inside the Fix Arena at Eik outside Tønsberg.
In Tønsberg, visitors could get to know the Troll car brand. Not just one, but two. I have always thought that the project ran aground because the founders got in over their heads, but Troll was made for low-series production and an emerging Norwegian car market. It was the Norwegian authorities that halted the project, apparently due to trade policy reasons.
For the first time I saw the Volkswagen Type 81, a rare van version, apparently based on the Beetle. From what I have been able to find out, the car was built just after the war. Volkswagen used the chassis of the Kübelwagen and the front end of the Beetle. The taillights come from the T1 Transporter. A bit like the principle of “you take what you have” . I am sure that the engineers who later developed the first Variant must have had the Type 81 in mind. This is a very rare model – and it is found in Tønsberg!
1954 Volkswagen Type 81. Norwegian history. Note the taillights. Taken from T1 van and pickup.
Bad photo conditions
Cars on display in sports halls never look good when photographed. At least not with automatic cameras. The lighting means that the cameras struggle to find the correct focus. That's why I'm going to show cars that were parked outside. There was a lot to see there too. You know you've arrived at a motor show when you park next to two stroked Ford V8s from the 30s.
2 Ford V8s.Beautiful interior too in this 1940 Ford V8.
Corvettes
On the way to the hall I passed some great Harley motorcycles. Many of the visitors had taken the trip on two wheels. I think some of the most polished bikes probably belonged to members of the organizing club Tønsberg MC. Likewise the beautiful Corvettes that were strategically parked in the area.
2006 Chevrolet Corvette C6 (2005-13).2004 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 C5 (1997-2004).1977 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe C3 (1968-82).Audi R8 4,2 FSI
The R8 is an eye-catcher
Cars with a visible mid-mounted engine are difficult to pass without taking a closer look. One could say that the Audi R8 is Lamborghini with Audi rings. The mid-mounted engine on this car, however, is Audi's own 4,2 liter FSI V8. Later models have Lamborghini's V10 engine. Although, what is Audi and what is Lamborghini can be difficult to determine when the companies are under the same umbrella.
Audi R8 4,2 FSI V8 – 420 HP.1959 Chevrolet Parkwood, based on Belair.
Amcars, of course
Outside stood shipowner Lorentzen's magnificent Humber Super Snipe. With its panoramic windows, it looks American but is British. You can see that inside it is the British school that applies. There were several nice Amcars, too. Some came and some left. The Chevy Parkwood is not something you see every day. This 1959 model is the Belair station wagon. It has 3 rows of benches, 2 facing forward and one facing backwards. I think it is possible to cram 9 people into this cruiser.
Save the vinyl roof!
I also stop at this 1969 model Catalina. I'm sure I've seen this before, but I can't remember where or when. I like the color combination, silver with black vinyl roof. From my own experience, I know that rust can easily appear under the vinyl roof. This roof appeared to have been re-laid in recent times. Vinyl roofs were a popular option in the late 60s and right up until 1980, especially on American and American-inspired models such as Ford and Opel, - and all the Japs models sold in the United States. I don't see a comeback for vinyl roofs on new cars, but I hope that old car owners take the time and money to replace existing vinyl roofs. I'm sure they can still be obtained from one warehouse or another.
1969 Pontiac Catalina Ventura.Vinyl roof – previously popular extra.1967 Saab Sport (two-stroke).
Saab Sport
In the 60s, a red Saab 96 Sport was a real dad racer. The 850cc two-stroke produced 56 HP and had a separate oil tank for the two-stroke oil. Externally, it stood out with decorative rings on the wheels, additional decorative strips at the bottom of the sides, as well as "Saab Sport" on the boot lid. In the USA, the Saab Sport was marketed under the exotic name "850 Monte Carlo". The standard model had 42 horses in 1966. The new front, the "long nose", came in 1965. That was the kind of car I learned to drive in. Four gears on the steering wheel and freewheel. In the turns, all you had to do was steer and give full throttle, - even when you came in a little too fast. Did you hesitate, it went straight ahead, thank you and goodbye...
1964 Cadillac Coupe Deville.
One should perhaps be careful in choosing the most beautiful Cadillac. In my opinion, the 1964 Cadillac Deville has the finest proportions and fins that are just right, without being vulgar – well, maybe a little…
And as for the exhibition inside the hall, it was fantastic. Several great Corvettes, some extremely rare cars, some with local history, some fun, not to forget the MC department.
We have a long winter in Norway. That's why I have a great sense for people who let life take its course even if it's dark, muddy, slippery - and occasionally white. They use the boat all year round, take a bike ride even if it's winter, - and like to drive a Lamborghini all year round.
If the Audi R8 gets too boring, you can always opt for the Lamborghini. The car brand was supposedly on the verge of collapse once upon a time, but was turned around by German capital and skilled Audi engineers. I parked next to a Huracán LP 580-2 the other day. The orange color lit up among all the shades of gray in the parking lot. BMW and Mercedes with a ski box are nice, but don't get the heart rate up very much. A Lamborghini does.
An orange car stands out among all the "shades of grey".
Like the R8, the Huracán is available in two body styles, Coupé and Spyder. The model shown is a 580-2, with V10 580 horses and rear-wheel drive. You can also get it with 610 horses and operation on all fours. The Huracán's brother, the Audi R8, comes with a V10 with 540 horsepower and one with 610, both with rear-wheel drive and the same good sound as in the Huracán.
When I was handed an orange Renault earlier this autumn, I expressed dissatisfaction with the color choice. Orange? On a completely normal Renault? Isn't it a bit daring among all the gray cars? On a Huracán, on the other hand, the color seems completely natural.
Lamborghini Huracan.2016 Lamborghini Huracán (Oslo NO, 2017).
From the most futuristic angle.Full leather or leather/alcantara. Here in grey, but can also be colour-coordinated. I don't know if orange leather can be delivered, but I have seen both signal green and yellow (the image has been manipulated).
