1939 Bugatti Type 57C

Here at Velocity we are incredibly lucky to work with experts from all over the automobile world – whether it’s racing, auctions, history or restorations we are fortunate to have a window into their worlds.

We are excited to bring you part one of a Q&A with Don McLellan from RM Restorations. When a classic car is entrusted to RM they are there for every step of a restoration. The team researches the history behind the car and can restore, repair or rebuild everything from the trim to the transmission of the special vehicles that cross their shop floor.

This week we asked Don about some classics that have stood out in his mind – you can read about the 1939 Bugatti Type 57 here and tune in to One of a Kind tonight at 9:30 pm E/P to see it happen.

There seem to be two types of classic car fans – those that want to enjoy the car that’s been restored and drive it and those who want museum pieces that remained garaged. Which seems to be the most common?

In the past, it was 50/50 for guys that wanted to drive and those that wanted to put their classic car in a polished collection. At this particular point in time, the trend seems to be moving towards cars for driving, even when it is an investment quality piece. Some of this shift towards driving comes from the show circuit, many of which have participant tours that are an important part of the judging. There is a lot involved in preparing for this component, we drive and thoroughly test the cars, including both open road driving as well as via a chassis dynomometer in our shop to test horsepower, vibrations, leaks, overheating and emissions in order to get the cars to turn-key condition.(Click here to keep reading @ Velocity)

'57 Airbox Corvette

Fire Powered. Air Cooled.

How do you cool a high-performance engine?

This is one of the questions automotive engineers have struggled with since the first internal combustion engine. The sheer explosive propulsion of fuel-fired pistons could theoretically result in limitless power. But at some point, that power becomes destructive, warping the very pistons it was designed to move.

For years, engineers have pushed the envelope, trying to balance maximum power with optimal cooling. Most of these experiments, by design, result in cam seizures, blown gaskets, or thrown rods. They self-destruct.

But the rare ones live on. In 1957, GM engineers thought they had an answer to performance engines’ thorniest problem. And the answer was so simple, it made perfect, head-slapping sense.

Air.

The Airbox Corvette is one of the great experiments in engine cooling, and the crazy thing is that it almost worked. Find out how the engineers ingineously designed airflow, and what ultimately went wrong, tonight. Only on One of a Kind: Cars. Only on Velocity at 9:30.

1967 Ferrari 412P

Enzo Ferrari’s Secret Weapon

In the 1960’s, Enzo Ferrari frantically defended his speed empire. After a failed takeover attempt, Henry Ford III made it his mission to dethrone Ferrari on the European auto circuit, and Ferrari’s venerable position was under attack.

When you’re under pressure, you’re capable of genius — and madness. Ferrari threw everything but the kitchen sink at Ford to keep his fleet of Ferraris one step ahead — on the track, and in the pole position for auto enthusiasts everywhere.

The Ferrari 412P is the kitchen sink.

With the body of a 330, the 412P is almost a stealth weapon. The main difference between the 330 and the 412 is a two-valve, twin overhead cam engine. With a slightly shortened wheelbase, the 412P was easier to handle, and the 420 horsepower rocketed its 1700 pounds around the European tracks.

When this secret weapon was launched, Ford had to answer. What happened next? Find out, only one One of a Kind: Cars. Only on Velocity at 9:30.

There’s nothing that a car loving gal like me likes more than finding out the history of some of the incredible finds in our shows.  While familiar with many of the bigger name models that ended up in mass production, I’ve got a long way to go before I’m schooled in the more rare finds out there.

'57 AIRBOX CORVETTE

This week the gang at One of a Kind give us a glimpse of the 57 Airbox Corvette and the Ferrari 412P…you’ll have to tune in to get the stories behind the amazing restorations, but here are the basic facts to get you in the mood.

‘57 Airbox Corvette

Man is this car sweet.  With its rounded lines visually it looks built for racing, even I can see that.  But the real hot stuff is under the hood.

According DZAUto, an expert on the Airbox Corvette over at Corvette Forums, the term “Airbox” came along when a design option was added on just 43 of the fuel injected cars from 1957.  (CLICK HERE FOR MORE)

1953 Buick Wildcat Concept I

Most “Dream Cars” were anything but.

With deadlines looming, and pressure building, the heat was on GM designers to get concept cars out the door. In order to wow the crowds at Motorama, the cars just had to look good. In most instances, they didn’t even have to run.

The 1953 Buick Wildcat was completely different. GM engineers took the time to outfit this classic from bumper to bumper, from the engine to the radio. They made sure the Buick Wildcat could have been driven off the showroom floor — unlike any other concept car made by GM.

Then this Wildcat helped kill the concept car altogether.

What made this car both the pinnacle of the Motorama era, and the beginning of the end? You’ll find out, if you watch One of a Kind: Cars. Only on Velocity. Only at 9:30 E/P. 8:30 CST. And don’t forget to check in with @VelocityTV1 or @OneofAKindTV at 5pm EST for details on tonight’s photo caption contest (photo will be released at 5).

1950 Allard J2

Five Car-Related Mystery Plots You Would Probably Pay to See

1. When a man discovers a rusting hulk of metal for sale, he must decide whether to buy it on faith that it might be the car he’s been lusting after for decades.
2. A man must defend his car against accusations that it’s not the car he thinks it is.
3. When a new owner investigates the history of his classic car, he discovers it was part of a secret skunkworks project designed to save an entire company.
4. The owner of a classic automobile employs a private investigator to track down and question the former owner, to uncover a treasure trove of secrets.
5. When restoring an old car, a mechanic discovers car parts that have never been documented, and have no clear precedent.

Have you ever heard of Figoni et Falaschi?  Perhaps not as they are a fairly rare find. They are flamboyant roadsters brought to life by Guiseppi Fignoni primarily in the 1930’s. His style as a coachbuilder is unmistakable…he was obsessed with fighting the wind and drag created around a vehicles tires. So in Fignoni et Falaschi vehicles you’ll see a signature “teardrop” enclosure sloping over the wheels. Frankly, it’s pure auto porn.

What about the Cadillac Pininfarina? That’s not a model that immediately pops to mind from this iconic brand. Pinin Farina was a specialist in building custom models of popular cars for big name buyers. He began his inroads into the US market in 1947 when a Cadillac distributor in LA asked him to design some special models for their Hollywood buyers. He was glad of the chance to make inroads to the largest market in the world. (click here to read more)