My Dream Car Garage (assuming it only had 10 parking spaces)
While I would love to write a very Jeremy Clarkson-esque piece on power and why old cars are boring, I won’t. Not because I disagree, but simply because I realize power is meaningless when stuck sitting in a soul sapping surround of gridlocked traffic. In this light, my dream car garage tries to balance street-ability, fun, and hoonage. I admit it is difficult, but I’ll give it a whirl. While we would all love smoke whirling and billowing from the rear tires of our very own dream car it is not practical, so here is my mix of brilliant engineering and old school muscle.
1.) B5 S4 Avant
2.7T Dolphin grey 6 speed with black leather interior. Engine modified with K04/20’s, 650cc injectors, water injection, OFE Southbend clutch, new boost tubing, radiator, and stealthy exhaust. Tinted tails and RS-4 front bumper riding on BBS gunmetal RC wheels and F&K suspension with Porsche 4 piston calipers front and rear. Equipped with front mount intercooler the car will boost 25psi and make 450 horsepower. Perfect for hauling some ass through the twisties, cruising on the highway, or hauling some lumber this car is good looking and quick to boot…
2.) R32 GT-R N1 V-Spec producing 600hp
Use a Tomei engineered engine with dual GT series Garrett turbochargers, HKS manifolds, HKS 770cc fuel system with swirl pot, and 3 row intercooler. Nismo clutch and flywheel, Hollinger 6 speed transmission. Use Kaaz 2-way rear differential with front helical riding on HKS hypermax suspension using brembo 6 pot front brakes. Pure white body equipped with a Mines Titanium exhaust, black Volk LE37-T wheels, and carbon fiber body pieces it will be the ultimate lightweight track car.
3.) Subaru 22B STI, VF-34, 450hp
The rarest Subaru equipped with a new STI turbocharger unit, revised Bilstein suspension, and minor induction mods the car will be a rally pro and be decently street-able. Painted in classic blue with gold STI mesh wheels, the widebody looks menacing and is still functional.
4.) Karmann Ghia with 993TT 475hp
OK, I admit it is utterly insane, but think it over for a minute. A lightweight old school Volkswagen with a fire-breathing twin turbo aircooled flat 6 in the back. Equip it with a 6 speed transaxle, custom suspension, gut, and cage it. Painted in Alpine blue with old-school Fuchs alloys.
5.) Mercedes-Benz Hammer with LS7
An old school Mercedes with GM’s latest small block Chevy and T-56 transmission. Painted black with black BBS LM, lowered with side exit exhaust and more chassis braces than AMG imagined back in the day. Ultimate unassuming sedan which can be classy, cruise, or tear up the street.
6.) BMW E46 M3 CSL
Simple, take a Euro-spec E46 M3 (white please) CSL with carbon roof, seats, and trim. Equip the 300hp straight six with a low pressure supercharger, slap on an exhaust, suspension, and let ‘er rip. Trying to stay old school and a focused evolution of a base model (remember what I said yesterday?) that has good looks and stellar performance.
7.) Koenigsegg CCX-R
Really every good garage has to have a supercar. 1000bhp, carbon body, and it runs on E85. Drive one at it’s full capacity rather than yours and you will most likely die. And go through the gates of heaven skidding backwards.
On fire.
8.) Caterham Super 7 CV SR20DET
Take the base Caterham Super 7, widen the track width, and use a SR20DET to make 300hp and weigh less than 2000lbs wet. Light and nimble is the key to this machine. It’ll make Chapman blush with pride.
9.) Ferrari 250 GTO with engine from 599 GTB
Again, simple insanity again (poor Enzo is rolling in his grave I’m sure). Beloved body with the latest engine. Equip it with Bilstein suspension and classic OZ Superleggera wheels.
10.) Porsche 997 GT2 Turbo with 650hp
The penultimate turbo. Add exhaust and turn the boost up a bit. Daily drivable with loads of power and track star DNA. As much as I hate the AWD and complexities normally associated with Porsche, this rear drive ass-engined Nazi sled can move. It has a miniscule rear seat (read: decent parcel shelf) and generous trunk (not really) and looks good as well.
To summarize, I want good looks, power, and some bit of soul to my cars. Whether or not it is practical or sane is irrelevant to me, the simple joy of driving and disintegrating tires is under stressed compared to 0-60mph and horsepower. Whatever it is, just drive it. Drive it like there is no tomorrow.
~Just drive the car.