Random Car Wednesday: 1967 Chevrolet Camaro SS

Another day, another extremely cool machine. This time around it's a true American classic, the 1967 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS. Chevy's answer to the Mustang may have come a few years behind, but when it arrived in dealerships it was a smash hit. This Camaro is full of goodies like a vinyl top and factory spoiler. Hood vents and the front stripe add to the 60s effect. This Camaro is a clean machine for sure.

1967 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS

Random Car Wednesday: 1965 Chevrolet Corvette

Time for another RCW, and I thought it would be nice to contrast last week's car, a Porsche 911 Carrera. So for this week it's a super clean 1960s Corvette Convertible. Blue and white work extremely well, and it's hard not to like the design of this generation 'Vette. Enjoy!

1965 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

Random Car Wednesday: Porsche 911 Carrera 4

Welcome to a new feature on Shifting Gears, Random Car Wednesday! The premise is fairly self-explanatory. Every Wednesday, I'll post a random car for you to enjoy. Here's today's offering. Enjoy!

1994 Porsche 911 Carrera 4

Cars and Coffee- 2/10/13

Cars and Coffee is one of my personal favorite car shows to attend. Taking place on the second Sunday of every month, it's a chance for anyone to bring every imaginable type of vehicle you can imagine. Tuned Subarus and Hondas mingle with Chargers and Mustangs, Falcons meet Ferraris, and hot rods park next to pickups. Like I said, it's among my all-time favorite shows, so here are some of my favorite machines to show up.

Let's kick things off with this 2013 Porsche 911 Carrera S. This latest-gen rendition of Germany's hallmark sports car hasn't been out long enough to start popping up around town, so this was my first opportunity to get a good look at it. I have to say, it's growing on me. The design is very modern, but still hasn't deviated much from it's original 1960's appearance. It can even pull off a typically dull color like silver.

Meanwhile, in America, the hot ticket performance coupe is this: The 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302. This specific Boss is the Laguna Seca Edition, which includes some track-inspired goodies for extra performance. Like the original, Ford is only offering the Boss 302 for two years, with 2013 being the last year. As a result, buyers are getting them now before they're gone for good. The black paint and grey stripes make this Boss a bit more sinister than the vibrant-colored models that are more common.

Of course, the Boss 302 isn't the only mega muscle car available today. Chevrolet's killer Camaro ZL1 is an outright monster. With aggressive, chiseled looks and a 580hp V8 to back them up, the ZL1 is an outstanding car. This one is rocking a black and white paint job, which accentuates the almost caricature-like body perfectly. Definitely one of the coolest cars on sale today.

I'll be honest, the Maserati GranTurismo is a very good car. But the design of the modern model doesn't really nail it for me. I like the way the car looks, but it feels like it's not quite there. Personally, I think it needs to be slightly more aggressive and jagged. Not a redesign, but a refresh. All the same, it's certainly a respectable machine. Perfect for some top-down cruising on a warm Texas afternoon.

Continuing with the Italian horsepower, here's a very nice Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera. These are actually fairly rare cars, with only 172 ever being built. This particular car is one of 45 to be painted yellow. I adore the Superleggera's embrace of Colin Chapman's philosophy, "Simplify, then add lightness." It's a no frills machine built for speed and performance, and it excels at both. Hard to argue with that.

A healthy assortment of tuner cars were in attendance, but my personal favorite was undoubtedly this '05 Subaru Impreza WRX STi. The rally-inspired white wheels and mudguards, the hoodscoop and wing, and most of all the iconic Subaru blue paint made for a very clean car. This is my favorite generation for the Impreza, and this particular car is by far one of the nicest examples I've seen.

While there was an ample selection of Ferraris to drool over, this F355 Berlinetta is probably the car I liked most. The color is a nice departure from the typical red and yellow Ferraris, and the looks of the F355 have held their allure brilliantly since the car's debut in the 1990's. This is without a doubt one of Ferrari's greatest hits.

While I don't dislike Miatas, I typically glaze over them at car shows. They never really caught my attention. That said, this car is quite the exception. The car started life as a run-of-the-mill 1995 Mazda Miata, a red convertible. Then the owner decided to do something a little bit different. Now, the engine bay is occupied by a Ford 5.0 HO V8 from a Mustang. That means that this tiny little two-seater is making somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 horsepower. Seeing that engine shoehorned into the little engine bay was particularly amusing.

Here's something you don't see too often: an Alfa Romeo GTV6. This feisty red Italian is a bit of a rarity in my area, so it was great to see one up close. I'm digging the 80's rims and the peculiar hood. The GTV6 is an unmistakable car from any angle. It's a bit boxy and a tad plastic, but that was common fare back when these were new, and it wears the look well.

When it comes to crazy 1970's paint jobs, this 1975 Chevrolet Camaro Rally Sport can't be overlooked. The silver and black, seperated by a pinstripe of red, make for a great contrast that kind of suits the looks of this car. This Camaro is remarkably well preserved for a 70's muscle car, and looks very good. Perhaps it's not the most popular Camaro, but it's undoubtedly a good-looking car.

What makes this 1972 Chevrolet C10 especially loveable is that it sees daily driver duty. Two-tone paint and lots of chrome make a cool ride, and the pickup truck aspect means that it's a practical and capable vehicle. The light colors work well on this Chevy, and the 350 V8 sounded perfectly healthy.

This 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass Convertible is quite the land yacht. It's big, heavy, posh and chromed. Perfect for cruising the streets. The Cutlass was a good looking car in its hey-day, and certain models, like the 442 or the Rallye 350, were serious performers. This Cutlass is a bit more for cruising than drag racing, but it's still a classy American classic.

Although rough around the edges, this 1969 Pontiac Firebird 400 was in pretty solid shape. The unmistakable beak-like nose of the '69 Firebird is very much a love it or hate it design, but I like it. This one has some sweet Torq-Thrusts on it, and looks a bit understated in white. Still a sweet example of classic American muscle, though.

No car show would be complete without a classic Corvette or two, and this gorgeous yellow 1967 model is a perfect representative of the Corvette population at the show. This car was unbelievably clean, and could have rolled off the assembly line that morning. The color is simply fantastic, and the side exhaust is extremely 1960's. This is one of the nicest Corvettes I've ever seen, period.

Certain cars can really pull off the beater look, and this Plymouth Valiant absolutely nails it. The weathered black paint, spartan interior, and Rallye wheels make it a cobbled together muscle coupe worth a closer look. It won't win any beauty contests, but it's full of character and is undoubtedly a fun vehicle to cruise around in.

To finish things off, we have a car show favorite, the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air. These things are everywhere, and for good reason. They're extremely attractive cars, they're easy to find, and they're easy to drive. This Bel Air is rolling on some aftermarket wheels for a more personalized look. The black paint and bright chrome really makes it pop.

All in all, a great show. There's plenty of features coming up soon, plus some more car show coverage, so stick around. It's liable to get pretty exciting.

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.

Top 10 Daily Drivers

Picking a car to serve as your daily driver is no easy feat. You have to consider practicality, fuel efficiency, comfort, and cost. For most, a midsize sedan or pickup will do the job. But where's the fun in that? There are plenty of unique vehicles that can be daily drivers without being boring or average. Here are ten vehicles that will set you apart from the crowd while still getting you where you need to go on a daily basis.

10. Fox Body Mustang

The "fox body" Mustangs, produced from 1979 to 1993, are not as muscular as their predeccessors or as sporty as newer models, but they're a great deal better than the atrocious Mustang II of the 1970s. The fox bodies have a lot going for them. They're small and nimble for city driving, but lightweight and quick for highway commutes. Available as a hatchback, convertible, or coupe, this generation of Mustang makes for a solid daily driver. They also have a very strong aftermarket following, meaning parts are easy to find, and customization is easy. A 5.0 GT is the must-have model if you want something fun to drive everyday.

9. Ford Focus/Fiesta ST

 A modern car is almost always guaranteed to be more reliable than a used car, and if you want something new and practical, Ford's current lineup is very impressive. The sportier "ST" models are the hot ticket if you want something truly exciting to drive. The Focus and Fiesta both offer an ST variant. The Fiesta is the smaller of the two, but neither of the cars are very big at all. Out of the two, I'd opt for the Focus. The five-door setup is practical and efficient, but the engine and chassis will bring a smile to your face in every corner.

8. Volkswagen Beetle

A classic Beetle meets every requirement a daily driver should have. They're cheap, easy to fix, fuel efficient, eye-catching, iconic, and they can go anywhere. The possibilities for modification and personalization are endless. You can build a baja bug, a lowrider, a Herbie clone, a racer, and so on and so forth. It can be anything you want it to be. A '60s or '70s model should be easy to find for cheap.

7. Land Rover Defender 110

While small and sporty isn't bad, sometimes a daily driver needs to be big, spacious, and indestructible. The Defender 110 is exactly that. In the world's most inhospitable places, Land Rovers are king. They can plow through anything Mother Nature throws at them, from mud and ice to cliffs and warzones. With credentials like those, the Defender is perfect for coping with everyday use. The smaller Defender 90 is also a brilliant choice. If it's good enough for the British Special Forces, then surely it's good enough for the average civilian.

6. Subaru Impreza WRX

The Subaru Impreza is a very good car. Be it road racing or rallycross, the Subaru is an impressive contender. For a daily driver, get an older WRX model. The 4WD means you get sensational handling, and the horsepower under the hood will give you a strong top speed and a respectable 0-60 time. Go for a second-gen sedan, it's practical but powerful.

5. Jeep Cherokee

The Jeep Cherokee is a great daily driver. It has everything you want from an SUV, in a compact package. It's available as a two-door of four-door, it's got plenty of room in the back, and while the boxy design won't win any awards, it's attractive in a rugged way. Jeep drivers are a strong community, so parts and add-ons are never hard to find. Depending on the engine and transmission, mileage is roughly 20 mpg, which isn't all that bad for an SUV. The pickup truck version of the Cherokee, the Comanche, is also a good choice.

4. Classic Mini

The original Mini Cooper was a smash hit. A Cooper S won the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally. Notable owners include George Harrison and Steve McQueen. It's as cool as a compact car can get. Built from the '60s all the way through to the 2000s, the original Mini Cooper is a great daily driver. Small enough to zip through city streets and park anywhere, it's sporty and exciting. You'll get a lot of looks, and no two Minis are quite the same. Go for an '80s Rover Mini with stripes and foglights. GTI drivers will be jealous.

3. Panther Platform Fords

Ford's Panther platform is one of the most beloved vehicle setups of all time. The Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car all use this setup. It's comfortable, safe, practically bombproof, and effective. Police departments and cab companies adore these cars, and drive them to death and then some. These cars are comfortable, easy to drive, and have room for plenty of passengers. The trunk is bigger than some apartments. For luxury, grab up a Grand Marquis or Town Car. The best choice, though, is a P71 Crown Victoria. P71 denotes the police interceptor package, which includes bigger brakes, better suspension, and more horsepower.

2. Chevrolet Blazer

Combine a pickup, an SUV, and a station wagon, and the result would probably be a Chevrolet Blazer. It's got all the perks of a big SUV, but with the size and drivability of a car. It uses basic GM parts, and features a detachable roof for sunny days. Bonus points if you can get a military-spec CUCV model. Alternatives to the Blazer include the Ford Bronco and International Scout.

1. 1980s Toyota Hilux

In the end, there can be only one winner, and in this case, it's the Toyota Hilux. If you watch Top Gear, you know that there is simply no way to kill one of these. It's at home both on pavement and where roads don't exist, there's plenty of room in the back, it's decently economic, absurdly easy to repair, and respectably cheap, too. Hiluxes have survived the North Pole, volcanoes, South African warzones, and even Australia, where almost every plant or animal has the ability to kill you. If you want a vehicle you'll never have to worry about, then this is it. The Toyota Hilux.

Merry Christmas

Happy Holidays! Stay out of the cold and enjoy the fire. Roast some chestnuts, and maybe some tires, too.