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Written by independent automotive journalist David C. Neyens

The 1956 Cadillac Series 62 Custom Convertible that will be offered with No Reserve at Barrett-Jackson’s auction in Scottsdale, January 22-30.

Rightly advertised as the “Standard of the World” for much of its history, GM’s Cadillac Motor Division reached the summit of America’s luxury-car market by 1947 when it convincingly outsold Packard and never looked back. Throughout the late 1940s and 1950s, strong buyer demand was understandable, given Cadillac’s fabulous styling overseen by legendary GM design chief Harley Earl and his team. Cadillac stylists drew inspiration from the growing crop of sleek jet-powered aircraft, endowing Cadillac’s entire model range with the incomparable impression of power, presence, and prestige.

Underneath their dramatic exteriors and elegant passenger compartments, postwar Cadillac models featured the American automobile industry’s most advanced engineering to match, including powerful V8 engines, automatic transmissions, and sophisticated underpinnings. In fact, as soon as Cadillac’s proprietary V8 engine launched for 1949, it was favored by hot rodders and racers alike, powering the ferocious road-and-race cars from Allard and Cunningham, along with the builders of countless 1950s American racing specials. Those large-displacement Cadillac engines were eventually eliminated by the 1980s in the quest for lower costs and a simplified GM product portfolio, but the recent Cadillac CTS-V did feature one of The General’s most powerful and sophisticated V8 powerplants ever — the supercharged and intercooled LSA.

Channeling that rich heritage with a modern twist is this stunning 1956 Cadillac Series 62 Custom Convertible that will be offered with No Reserve at Barrett-Jackson’s auction in Scottsdale, January 22-30. It is the product of a frame-off restoration and custom build completed by the award-winning Joe Peck Customs in Van Nuys, CA. Built over a 7-year timeframe including thousands of hours’ worth of labor, virtually no possible expense was spared and no detail was overlooked. This Southern California car was completely disassembled and stripped, with the frame and body sandblasted and prepped for paint before each part was individually refinished and then reassembled. All original chrome and stainless trim pieces were straightened, dipped, and polished by ABG Polish, yielding an amazing visual complement to the Cadillac’s iconic bodylines and custom paint finish. The interior is a work of art in itself, retaining the Cadillac’s original elegance, trimmed with custom upholstery by award-winning specialist Albert Lara from North Hollywood, CA. Just one example of the extreme quality of this build is provided by the steering wheel, painstakingly restored using an original factory mold for uncompromising accuracy.

Consistent with the rest of the car, the Cadillac’s beefy original frame was also carefully stripped, cleaned, and repainted in a gorgeous red finish. Custom-notched, it now accommodates a GM LSA V8 crate engine — the same used by Cadillac’s modern CTS-V sports sedan. Delivering 556 factory-rated horsepower, this supercharged and intercooled mill is nicely upgraded with the efficiency of a Concept One accessory-drive pulley system. A GM 6L90 6-speed automatic transmission delivers the power to the street via a virtually bulletproof Ford 9-inch rear end, equipped with posi-traction and 3.25 running gears. Adjustable RideTech shocks are at all four corners, and 2-inch drop spindles up front give the car a wicked stance. Premium supporting features include a custom-built stainless steel fuel tank from Rick’s Tanks, complete with a Vapor Works fuel control system. A polished Mattson’s radiator and intercooler system ensure the potent supercharged LSA engine runs nice and cool.

Other great highlights include all new glass, new suspension components, and the stopping power of 4-wheel Wilwood power disc brakes. Power steering delivers cruising ease and a power top mechanism and power window lifts provide heightened passenger comfort. A set of 17-inch Wheel Smith Cadillac wire wheels, wrapped in low-profile Diamondback Red Line tires, provides a great period look with modern grip and riding characteristics.

Legions of owners and enthusiasts have long considered the 1956 Cadillac Series 62 difficult, if not impossible, to improve upon. This amazing example, built by modern day craftspeople, proves the feat is indeed possible.

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By: Barrett-Jackson
Title: HIGH STANDARDS: This 1956 Cadillac Series 62 Custom Convertible Kicks It Into Overdrive With A Modern Twist
Sourced From: www.barrett-jackson.com/Media/Home/Reader/1956-cadillac-series-62-custom-convertible/
Published Date: Tue, 16 Nov 2021 17:00:39 +0000

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BEYOND THE STRIP: Discover the Cultural Gems of Las Vegas

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BEYOND THE STRIP: Discover the Cultural Gems of Las Vegas

Written by Barbara Toombs

Fremont Street in the heart of downtown Las Vegas.

Millions of visitors are understandably attracted to the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas’ renowned Strip each year, where world-class resorts, casinos, shows and incredible dining options are the name of the game.

What many don’t realize is that there’s another fascinating side to the Entertainment Capital of the World, headlined by two cultural districts known simply as Downtown and Chinatown.

Downtown Las Vegas (also known as DTLV) is really where this unique desert city got its start. In 1931, construction began on what is now known as the Hoover Dam, attracting thousands of workers to a site just east of the city. To capitalize on this growing workforce, savvy businessmen began building casinos and showgirl venues along Las Vegas’ only paved road at the time: Fremont Street.

Today, DTLV is comprised of three distinct districts. Many visitors to the city are already familiar with one of them: the Fremont Street Casino District, which contains museums, restaurants and bars, as well as the original Las Vegas casinos, including El Cortez, Golden Nugget and Golden Gate. Here you’ll also find the renowned Fremont Street Experience, which debuted in 1995. This pedestrian-only thoroughfare is covered by a canopy of more than two million LED lights and a state-of-the-art sound system that comes to life every night for a spectacular sound and light show called “Viva Vision.”

The Arts District

A popular attraction in this district is The Mob Museum (the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement), which showcases intriguing tales and the age-old dichotomy of good guys versus bad guys. Explore at your own pace, go on a guided tour or uncover museum surprises as part of a group scavenger hunt. Want a literal “taste” of old-school Las Vegas? Plan to dine at Top of Binion’s Steakhouse, perched on the 24th floor of Binion’s Gambling Hall. The restaurant dates back to 1965 when it was known as Top of the Mint, the signature dining spot at The Mint hotel tower. The interior design (and menu – think steak, prime rib, lobster and even Baked Alaska) is a throwback to an earlier era when the mob ran much of Las Vegas, but the real draw is the spectacular view through dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows.

Built in 2002, the Fremont East Entertainment District (FEED) is a six-block area that stretches from Las Vegas Boulevard East to 8th Street and from Ogden Street South to Carson. FEED is pedestrian-friendly, offering diverse street life and many eateries, cafes, bars and lounges, as well as ample shopping opportunities and lively entertainment. A must-see attraction in this district is the Downtown Container Park – a dining, shopping and live music venue made of 45 colorful repurposed shipping containers, all fronted by a two-story, fire-breathing praying mantis who made its original debut at Burning Man. Nearby is the popular Bin 702 – one of many great dining choices in the area – featuring a great selection of beer and wine, as well as a tantalizing choice of charcuterie and cheese, sandwiches and small plates for sharing.

18b sign in The Arts District.

In recent years, The Arts District – or the 18b as it’s also known (a reference to it occupying 18 blocks of Downtown Las Vegas, loosely outlined by Commerce Street, Colorado Ave, Fourth Street and Hoover Avenue) – has been growing in popularity. Its monthly “First Friday” block party and art walk features food trucks and live music, serving as a backdrop for artists showing their works off at a variety of open-air and indoor galleries. These include The Arts Factory, home to over 30 artists and art galleries, and ArtSquare, a hip establishment that houses design stores, designer’s studios, wellness spots, and food and drink outlets. Behind The Arts Factory sits one of many great dining choices in The Arts District: Taverna Costera, serving up delicious Coastal Mediterranean fusion that draws inspiration from coastal Spanish, French, Italian and Greek cuisines and beyond.

Just a couple of miles east of the Strip, along Spring Mountain Road (roughly between Rainbow Boulevard and Interstate 15), lies the city’s amazing Chinatown, which has grown in leaps and bounds over the past two decades. Here you’ll find the largest collection of Asian businesses in Southern Nevada, including a multitude of authentic Asian restaurants, gift shops, a hair stylist, a reflexologist, home decor, an Asian supermarket and the only Chinese bookstore in Nevada.

At Chinatown’s heart is the enormous and ornate Chinatown Plaza, featuring a colorful, dragon-adorned, Tang Dynasty-inspired gate and gleaming

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By: Barrett-Jackson
Title: BEYOND THE STRIP: Discover the Cultural Gems of Las Vegas
Sourced From: www.barrett-jackson.com/Media/Home/Reader/beyond-the-strip-discover-the-cultural-gems-of-las-vegas-2023/
Published Date: Fri, 19 May 2023 18:07:14 +0000

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2024 SCOTTSDALE AUCTION: 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Coupe – No Reserve

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2024 SCOTTSDALE AUCTION: 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Coupe – No Reserve

This red 1967 Corvette custom coupe received a complete custom restoration at Springfield Motorsports in Peachland BC, Canada. The build consists of a completely new jig-mounted tube chassis with C4 corvette front upper and lower control arms riding on coilover shocks and power rack & pinion steering. The rear differential is a custom narrowed 9-inch Ford with aluminum Dale Gerry center section with Wilwood disc brakes on all 4 corners. Filling out the wheel wells are custom offset Fikse wheels.

K&S machine in Kelowna, British Columbia took the 454ci engine and machined it to 496ci it is equipped with Comp Thumper camshaft and 800cfm carburetor and it creates a true hot rod sound through the ceramic-coated exhaust. Lee Baxter upholstery created the one-off hand-stitched red leather interior with a rear storage area. It features Vintage Air, Digital gauges, power windows and a leather-wrapped vintage-style steering wheel.

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By: Barrett-Jackson
Title: 2024 SCOTTSDALE AUCTION: 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Coupe – No Reserve
Sourced From: www.barrett-jackson.com/Media/Home/Reader/2024-scottsdale-auction-1967-chevrolet-corvette-custom-coupe-no-reserve/
Published Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2023 15:52:01 +0000

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From Hamamatsu to Lisbon: A Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition

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Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition
The Honda CBX 1000 was only in production for four years, but that was enough time for it to leave a lasting impression on the motorcycle industry. First released it in 1978 as a screaming six-cylinder naked superbike, it later faced stiff competition from its stablemate—the equally iconic CB900F. So the Japanese marque redesigned it as a sport tourer, halfway through its tenure.

The updated ‘CBX-B’ had a touring fairing, optional panniers, and Honda’s new-at-the-time Pro-Link mono-shock setup. It was a hair less powerful than before, but that didn’t stop it from becoming a legend in its own right. If you park a CBX and CBX-B next to each other, you could argue that the latter has more presence.

Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition

It’s that mystique that prompted the owner of this 1982 Honda CBX 1000 Pro-Link to buy it. Enamored with the fusion of modern technology and ancient traditions found in Japanese cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, he was on the hunt for a classic motorcycle that embodied that philosophy. When he found the CBX, the sheer brutalism of its six-cylinder engine was impossible to ignore.

“In the eyes of this enthusiast, the engine wasn’t just a mechanical marvel; it was the soul of the motorcycle, much like the heart in a human body,” says Tiago Gonçalves, founder of the Portuguese custom shop, Unik Edition. “This revelation laid the foundation for a transformative project, one that would honor the motorcycle’s origins while infusing it with a new identity.”

Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik EditionRead More

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By: Wesley Reyneke
Title: From Hamamatsu to Lisbon: A Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition
Sourced From: www.bikeexif.com/honda-cbx-1000-restomod
Published Date: Sat, 28 Oct 2023 16:34:54 +0000

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