Timeless Machines: Stories of Passion Behind Extraordinary Cars
March 4, 2025
Throwback: A Ford Escort Built To Divide & Conquer
In the world of automotive enthusiasm, loyalty to a particular brand often runs deep, creating rivalries between different makes. One such rivalry exists between Ford and Vauxhall in the UK, and while some remain entrenched in this battle, others dare to cross enemy lines, embracing the best of both worlds.
Paul Reene is one of those individuals, and his Vauxhall-powered Ford Escort is a testament to his open-minded approach. Over a decade, Paul transformed his ‘73 Escort into the ultimate track machine, prioritizing weight savings, optimal weight distribution, and high-revving power. The result is a lightweight, agile car with a potent 250hp Vauxhall C20XE engine, a custom suspension, and a host of other modifications.
Ultimately, Paul’s Escort showcases what can be achieved when one builds without compromise, follows their own vision, and is willing to seek help from unexpected sources. It’s a reminder that sometimes, crossing the battlefield can lead to remarkable creations and a deeper appreciation for the automotive world as a whole.
The Perfect Elixir: Lab Eleven
In a world of over-polished and technologically overwrought restomods, Lab Eleven in Milan takes a different approach: building 911s meant to be driven and enjoyed. Eschewing unnecessary gimmicks and excessive power, Pino La Rosa and his daughter Milena focus on enhancing the existing qualities of the 993, making it sharper, stronger, and more usable without sacrificing its soul.
Lab Eleven avoids the predictable restomod formula of stripping a 911 down to its studs and overloading it with technology. Instead, they focus on balance and feel, offering rebuilt engines that provide ample power without being overwhelming, and using materials that feel appropriate for the car’s character, like wool fabrics and houndstooth. The goal is not perfection, but rather to create a car that connects the driver to the road and provides an authentic driving experience.
Ultimately, Lab Eleven’s philosophy is simple: a car that sits too long starts to die. Their 911s are built for alpine passes, winding back roads, and open stretches of asphalt, where dirt and rock chips are badges of honor. These are cars meant to be driven, to wear in, and to collect the marks of use that prove they are alive.
The Ski Jump Porsche
Immortalized in the iconic “Der Sprung” photograph featuring an Olympic skier soaring above it, the 1960 Porsche 356B Super 90 originally owned by photographer Hans Truöl, is a legend. After years spent in the United States, this ruby red beauty has been brought back to life by Italian father-son duo Luigi and Francesco Bosio.
Acquired from European Collectibles in Costa Mesa, the Porsche was a shadow of its former self, cloaked in white paint with a dilapidated interior. Undeterred, the Bosios embarked on a meticulous two-year restoration, scouring the globe for authentic parts and materials to return the car to its original glory. Sharing garage space with a stunning blue 1956 Porsche 356A, also sourced and restored by the pair, the two cars showcase Porsche’s evolution during that era.
The Bosios cherish their 356s, praising their torque, comfort, and practical design. More than just garage queens, these Porsches are driven and enjoyed, participating in rallies and even the occasional commute. The “Der Sprung” Porsche isn’t just a restored classic; it’s a testament to a father and son’s passion, preserving a piece of automotive history for generations to come.
Would you dare drive one of these two snakebit Mustang SVT Cobra Rs?
Broad Arrow Group’s upcoming Amelia Island sale is set to feature a pair of rare and desirable Ford Mustang SVT Cobra Rs, both expected to fetch significant sums. The first is a vibrant red 1993 Cobra R, a limited-production Foxbody Mustang with only 2,118 miles. While packing a 5.0-liter V8, this Cobra R’s focus was on track-ready upgrades like a heavy-duty cooling system, close-ratio gearbox, and sport-tuned suspension, making it a standout driver’s car.
The second Cobra R hails from 2000, representing the “New Edge” generation. This Performance Red example boasts an even lower 1,410 miles and features a potent 5.4-liter V8, six-speed manual, and track-focused enhancements like Eibach springs, Bilstein shocks, and Brembo brakes. With only 300 units ever produced, this Cobra R, offered only to those with competition licenses, stands as a testament to Ford’s dedication to high-performance Mustangs and would be a prized addition to any collection.
Into the Wild
Most air-cooled Porsches live pampered lives these days, carefully detailed and only driven on perfect summer evenings. But Brad Meier isn’t most owners. He uses his Swiss-delivered ‘67 Porsche 912 as his daily driver, fearlessly exploring the backroads and dirt trails of the Pacific Northwest.
In just one year, Brad has driven 10% of the car’s total mileage, redefining its story from city cruiser to effortless tourer and overland explorer. He simply loves to drive, seeking out whatever lies around the next corner, be it pavement, dirt, blue skies, or rain. He had always wanted a classic Porsche, and after driving a friend’s 356, he realized the 912, with its similar wheelbase but 356-style motor, would be perfect for his style. He found a matching-numbers, largely original 912, originally a European delivery, with a unique color change from Ivory White to Gemini Blue.
Brad’s adventures aren’t solo either; his Golden Retriever, Hazel, is always along for the ride, dog hairs and all. While some Porsche purists might disapprove, Brad’s passion embodies the true spirit of Porsche: driving, exploring, and enjoying the journey, no matter the road.
A Snowstorm Can’t Stop This Group A-Inspired Skyline GT-R
A photographer braved a four-hour drive through a brewing snowstorm to meet Masayuki Kani and his family, who own a Group A-inspired R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R. The Skyline is more than just a car; it’s a family heirloom, a tangible connection to Masayuki-san’s late father, who instilled in him a love for GT-Rs through pilgrimages to Fuji Speedway and other iconic Japanese racetracks.
Masayuki-san’s R32 is a meticulously crafted homage to the Group A Skylines of the late ’80s and early ’90s. It boasts a fully built RB26DETT engine with a REINIK RB-X GT2 engine kit, mirroring the 2.8L setup used in the original competition cars. Built by Hitoshi Maeda, a former Group A rally mechanic, the engine delivers a formidable 660ps and 69kg/m of torque, channeling its power through a MoTeC M600, a brand synonymous with Group A racing.
While the snowstorm prevented the planned touge run, it created a unique and memorable backdrop for the photoshoot. The silence of the snow-covered landscape was broken only by the roar of the Skyline’s side-piped exhaust, a fitting tribute to its motorsport heritage. In a way, the unexpected weather transformed the shoot into a poignant celebration of family, legacy, and the enduring appeal of the R32 Skyline GT-R.