Highlights- 1/23/13

Over the past couple of weeks, I've been able to see some amazing shows and collections. So many, in fact, that to show you everything I saw would be a massive undertaking. However, there were some highlights and standouts, and that's what you'll be seeing here. The following vehicles represent a small portion of the total, but should prove to be plenty interesting nonetheless.

Let's start off with something modern for a change. Most quality sedans have a performance variant of some sort. BMW's M Division or Mercedes-Benz's AMG, for example. America's contribution comes in the form of the Ford Taurus SHO. This 2013 model is the first I've seen on the streets, and it looks startlingly good. Ford's design platform these days is brilliant, and the SHO combines its looks with a potent V-6 that makes 365 horsepower. Hard to argue with that.

Of course, Ford has been making great cars for a very long time. Look no further than this 1948 Super Deluxe Convertible. It's refined and sporting, but still manages to look aggressive. Bad guy Biff Tannen drove one in Back to the Future. This particular Ford is super clean, and is more than enough to turn some heads.

This 1940 Dodge D-14 Convertible is cut from the same cloth as the Ford. Both are full-fendered convertibles with similar styling, both are from America, and both are pristine automobiles. But this Dodge is a lot more uncommon than the Ford. The pre-WWII Mopars have gone off the map as of late, so seeing one this nice is a real treat.

I have a soft spot for British sports cars. They're small and sporty, and they're built for fun. For the drivers who truly enjoy driving, Austin-Healeys and TVRs are hot choices. Of course, so is this Triumph TR3. It's a red sports car that you can actually park. Plus the mileage is fairly good, too. For a car as small as this, there's a lot to like.

It wouldn't be a car show without a Mustang or two. This one's a 1966 GT. I'm digging the classic Magnums and the stripe. A car that can be fairly simple but still catch your eye is a successful machine. Having been around since 1964, I'd say the Mustang definitely qualifies as a success.

Continuing the red car montage is this Ferrari 360 Spider. Honestly, a car like this almost has to be red. This 360 was one of several that appeared at this show, but it was the only Spider in attendance.

Well, the only Ferrari Spider, that is. This Fiat 124 Sport Spider was soaking up some sunshine not far away. It may have some patina in places, but it's being driven on a regular basis, so you can't argue with that. Besides, looks can be deceiving.

A prime example is this 1963 Chevrolet Biscayne. Bench seats and steelies might suggest a tame commuter car, but this particular model is factory-equipped with a 4-speed manual and the enormous Chevy 409 V8 under the hood. That's enough to blow the doors off almost anything at a red light.

Also more than capable of blowing off doors is this 1971 Corvette Stingray. Sculpted looks and American horsepower make for a winning combination that anybody can appreciate. Amongst fleets of late-model Corvettes, the classic models stood out all the more. The C3-gen 'Vette is a timeless design.

To round things off, we have an Italian machine that'll definitely draw crowds. This Lamborghini Gallardo is the baby brother to the ferocious Murcielago, but there's nothing babyish about it. An exotic blend of weight reduction, horsepower, style and technology, the Gallardo is a sweet machine. Also, this shade of blue is one of the best car colors I've seen in a while.

So that about rounds it up. There's plenty more in store for 2013, so stick around. It's going to be a heck of a ride.