Random Car Wednesday: 1968 Chevrolet Corvette

The Chevrolet Corvette is an undeniable icon, but among sports cars they are a bit commonplace. Perhaps it's just a Texas thing, but Corvettes are certainly not endangered around here. This one, however, stands out. Today's RCW is a 1968 Chevrolet Corvette convertible. 1968 was the first year for the C3 generation, which was derived from the Mako Shark II concept. It was swoopy and well-proportioned, and to this day is one of the better automobile designs ever put into production. This particular example is especially nice. The convertible option is desirable, but the 427 badging on the hood is a bit more special. There were a number of 427 variants available in the 'Vette, such as the L36 or L89. This car is probably one of the more tame examples, but even the base 427 had 390 horsepower, which does a lot for a car that only weighs about 3,500 pounds. The biggest 427 could deliver 430 horsepower, if you really needed an adrenaline rush. This car also has the old factory-installed sidepipes, a signature part of the C3 generation. To top it all off, the color is a decidedly 1960's touch, with its somewhat metallic hue. This was a cool car in 1968, but I suspect it's still just as cool by today's standards.

1968 Chevrolet Corvette 427

100th Post Special!

This is the site's 100th post, a minor milestone of sorts, and so I thought we'd mix things up. Instead of RCW, here are some neat machines that haven't been posted yet. Furthermore, there are a multitude of car shows coming up this weekend, so expect coverage of that very near future. Thanks for reading!

Random Car Wednesday: Vixen 21 SE

Today we have something very special indeed. It's one of those oddball machines that, while not particularly incredible or noteworthy, is unique and interesting enough to merit some attention. In this case, rarity and oddity are the main attractions. Meet today's RCW, the 1989 Vixen 21 SE. If the name doesn't ring any bells, don't fret. Vixen was an RV manufacturer based in Pontiac, Michigan. They began production in 1986, but closed their doors for good in 1989. Their only model was the Vixen 21, a radical departure from conventional RVs. The strange design is wind tunnel-tested, and yields a drag coefficient of less than .30, something no other RV I'm aware of can claim. Furthermore, the low ride height gave the Vixen a low center of gravity, which gave it car-like handling. It could also fit in most garages like an ordinary car, so that it wasn't a burden when not in use. The powertrain was a BMW M21 turbo-diesel, and the company claimed the Vixen 21 could average 30 mpg and reach a top speed of 100 mph. Why a motorhome would ever need to travel so fast is beyond me, but it was used as a selling point all the same. There were three trim levels available: the TD, SE, and XC. This one, with its higher roof, is an SE model from 1989, the last year of production. The Vixen story was short and few remain intact today. In total, only 587 were ever produced, so seeing one in the wild is nothing short of incredible. It has a decidedly futuristic look about it, making it look like some sort of sci-fi movie prop. I was delighted to see this one in person and admire its quirkiness, and hopefully you enjoy it too.

1989 Vixen 21 SE

Random Car Wednesday: 1949 Buick Super

Today we're highlighting another vehicle seen in the parking lot at LSRU. It's a big slab of classic American luxury, and it's today's RCW. It's the 1949 Buick Super. In the late 1940's, the most prestigious American makes were arguably Cadillac and Lincoln. Buick, however, was not far behind, offering very attractive automobiles that incorporated solid performance with passenger comfort. The Buick Super was the most popular model available, and was essentially a Roadmaster with more bodystyles and less pricy accoutrements. Featuring Buick's straight-eight powerplant, the Super was an excellent car, and could be had as a sedan, a coupe, a convertible, or a station wagon. This particular example looks solid as far as bodywork goes, but the paint job is far from perfect. It appears to have originally been a darker shade of green, but that was long ago. However, the chromework is shiny and neat, and it appears to be a car that gets driven on a semi-regular basis. It's a very stylish machine, complete with the iconic Buick "VentiPort" portholes. This is a an all-around solid machine that can still feasibly serve as daily transportation, and I admire that. This car has so much design and character, something modern sedans seem to be lacking. Thankfully, the new Dodge Charger and Ford Fusion show that design might be making a comeback. I certainly hope so.

1949 Buick Super Sedan

2nd Annual Fly-In/Drive-In Show Roundup

This weekend, the Central Texas Wing of the Commemorative Air Force hosted their second annual Fly-In/Drive-In Show. It features plenty of cool cars, as well as some very interesting classic aircraft. It's a neat show, and this year was just as great a turnout as last year. The proceeds go towards keeping the CAF's incredible aircraft in the air, and they spent the afternoon giving rides in their B-25 bomber. This show is quickly becoming a yearly highlight, as it just keeps getting better and better.

 The 1957 Bel Air is a car show standard, and this one was very nice. Those Cragars work better than expected, and the dark red paint is a tasteful choice.

 Slightly less common is this 1962 Studebaker pickup. It's had a lot of work done, including new paint and pinstriping. Also, the stepside bed is borrowed from a Ford Ranger. Pretty neat.

 "The Sarge" is a 1932 Ford dump truck, decked out with flags and an army theme. Usually a car show will have at least a few '32 Fords, but they usually aren't like this. Very cool.

 This 1965 Malibu SS was in great condition. This was Chevy's middle-weight muscle car in '65, offering more performance than the Nova, but not quite as much as the Impala SS.

 This gorgeous 1964 Corvette was an undeniable eye-catcher. It's in great shape, looking like it just rolled off the showroom floor. I adore the original wheels, and the color choice. It comes across as a very European sports car, which is essentially what Chevrolet intended.

 This 1967 Plymouth Barracuda was superb. It's a Formula S model, and it's rocking a fantastic orange and black paint job that really brings out the '60s muscle car vibe. This was the Barracuda's first year for this bodystyle, and it would last until 1970, when the E-Body platform was used.

 Here's something you don't see everyday. This is a 1994 Oldsmobile Aurora in full race trim. This is an all-out track machine built solely for competition. Definitely not what you expect to see when somebody says 1994 Oldsmobile. This was one of the most interesting cars at the show.

 Kaisers seem to have all but disappeared, so this 1954 Kaiser Manhattan was an unexpected surprise. This car is utterly flawless, and the design is still attractive today. I love color combination on this car, as well as the tasteful use of chrome. It's good to know these cars still exist.

 The quintessential Chevrolet C-10 pickup. This one is a very pretty 1966 model. Apart from some minor modifications, this truck is mostly original, and makes for a good weekend cruiser.

 There were a couple of Chevelles on hand, but this 1966 Chevelle SS 396 really caught my attention. This car is simply wonderful. This was the first year for the SS 396 package, and it was one of Chevy's first real muscle cars. This one is absolutely stellar, and the bright red paint really seals the deal.

 As far as desirable muscle cars go, this 1970 Oldsmobile is tough to beat. It's a 442 with the very desirable W-30 option. On top of that, it's in concours condition, and I personally love the color. It seems like most of these cars were ordered in red, so blue is a refreshing change.

 The CAF is performing an ongoing restoration on this 1943 Willys MB. Last year it was nothing but a rolling chassis, but its come a long way since then. The spartan design and rugged simplicity of this vehicle is really cool to behold in person.

 This '32 Ford coupe has been to some local car show lately, but the owner has recently added these racing decals, which are a nice touch. The combination of grey, white, and black parts still puzzles me, but this is a very neat car and I'm curious to see what the owner will do next.

 This is what happens when you let Carroll Shelby and Bob Lutz go wild. This is a 1994 Dodge Viper RT/10. It's an icon of the '90s, and it put Chrysler back on track. This was basically a concept car that was sold to the public, and it's an amazing car to look at up close.

 This 1972 Barracuda is one of Mopar's last muscle cars of the '70s. A vinyl top with sunroof and the "Sport Appearance Package" make this particular car unique.

 One of two matching 1970 Plymouth Roadrunners at the show. Both cars had 383 badging and the same rims. I think I slightly prefer this one out of the two. Bright green only works on a handful of cars, but I think this is certainly one of them.

 As I said, there were planes on hand as well. This SNJ-T6 is owned by the CAF, and is nicknamed "Neon" on behalf of it's bright orange paint. This was one of the aircraft used in the flyover, and it still sees regular flight duty.

 Among my favorites of the show was this 1971 Dodge Challenger R/T. That's Plum Crazy Purple, and under the hood is a 440 Six-Pack motor, one of the best engines Mopar offered in the muscle car era. This car is mostly stock apart from the new Torq-Thrust II rims.

 This 1965 Ford F-100 looks like it could still do service as a daily driver. The modern wheels and tires suggest an emphasis on function over form, which is fitting for a pickup truck.

 This 1966 Cadillac Coupe de Ville sat low on airbags, and looked to be in pretty solid shape. It's a massive vehicle, but it probably makes for a very good cruising machine.

 This 1961 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia was a very cool little car. It's not entirely done yet, with a handful of paint imperfections and an interior that still needs work, but it's a very solid little car. It's hard not to like these cars, the design was so well-proportioned and simple.

 Representing rat rod culture was this mean machine. The owner claimed it was a 1927 Ford Model T once, but it's come a long way since then. I really like the chop top with no roof, and the red wheels add just enough contrast. This is a rat rod done right.

 Without a doubt the star of the show. This is Aluminum Overcast, a B-17 Flying Fortress operated by the EAA. One of only 11 B-17s still capable of flight, this was incredible to see in person. Watching it take flight is an experience that defies description, and it almost feels like you've stepped back in time to 1945. This was undeniably the highlight of the day.

 Moving back to the automotive side of the show, we find this lovely 1969 Dodge Super Bee. It's got a 440 under the hood and some shiny new rims, but I'm not sure about the blue interior. Nevertheless, this is a very nice car, and a welcome sight at the show.

 The other 1970 Roadrunner. Both cars are almost identical, although the green one has white-letter tires, while this one does not. Also, this car has the factory spoiler, unlike the green car. Whatever your preference is, these are two perfect Plymouths.

Lastly is this 1963 Impala convertible. Harder to find than the hardtop versions, this convertible was a very clean car that looked like it could be driven on a regular basis. I really like those Keystone Mags, they work very well on this car.

Random Car Wednesday: 1995 Mazda Miata M Edition

Many people consider the Mazda Miata to be one of the best gearhead cars of all time. I'm not quite so enthusiastic, but I must admit it has plenty of admirable qualities. Thus, it's about time we have a Miata for RCW, and here it is. This is a 1995 Mazda Miata M Edition. Now, the Miata is essentially an homage to the classic sports cars of the 1960's. Cars like the Lotus Elan, Triumph TR6, and Austin-Healey Sprite. The formula is pretty simple, following Colin Chapman's "Simplify, then add lightness" mantra very strictly. As a '95 model, this Miata features a 1.8-liter engine that produces 131 horsepower. This is a far cry from last week's V12 Vantage, but the Miata didn't need a boatload of horsepower because it only weighed 2,180 pounds. The end result was a very nimble, sporty little two-seater that offered a wonderful combination of basic practicality and driving bliss. These credentials were enough to win the hearts of driving enthusiasts everywhere, and as a result these cars are coveted by their owners. This particular car is the M Edition, a low production special edition. M Editions could be had in 1994, 1995, and 1996, and each year featured a different look. For 1995, the M Edition was offered in Merlot Mica with unique BBS rims. These unique machines got all of the options Mazda could install, and production was limited to 3,500 cars. This one is in stellar condition, and looks like it would be a blast to drive through the Hill Country on a nice day like today. Is it the best car in the world? No, I don't think so. But you should try to drive one at least once, just to make sure.

1995 Mazda Miata M Edition

Easter Cruise-In

Happy Easter! Yesterday was this month's cruise-in at the local car museum, and it was a lovely little turnout. An eclectic mix of machinery, to be sure. Enjoy these photos, and have a happy holiday.